Mclaren To Keep Coulthard.

David Coulthard's fighting performance in Austria may have helped to secure his seat with the team for another year.


The Scot, who fought through from the back of the field to second overall following a first lap collision in Austria, was praised by McLaren boss Ron Dennis. (Austria was probably David's best race,) said Dennis, (It took the ability to control yourself in those conditions, not to overdrive and choose you moment to overtake.)


Dennis refused to say, however, that Coulthard's seat was as good as confirmed by the race result, but intimated that he and his two drivers would be sitting down at the end of the month to finalise plans for 1999. (David's chances of staying are as good as they ever were,) he said, (Before the end of the month, we will sit down and the decision will not be emotional. We won't choose on this single performance, but how they [Coulthard and team-mate Mika Hakkinen] have done over a period of time.)


Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug has already lent his support to the Coulthard cause. (I was fighting for him >from the beginning,) he said, (David is a bright guy and a smart guy.)