McLaren tried to sign Ferrari's Michael Schumacher

   Copyright c 1998 Nando Media
   Copyright c 1998 Reuters

SPIELBERG, Austria (Jul 25, 1998 - 14:16 EDT) - McLaren Mercedes-Benz
admitted on Saturday that they made an abortive bid to lure Michael
Schumacher away from Ferrari.

Mercedes-Benz sporting director Norbert Haug said the team had spoken to
the twice world champion before he signed an extended contract with Ferrari
that tied him to the Italian team until the end of 2002.

"We spoke, but we did not find a way," said Haug.

Schumacher was reported to have re-signed for Ferrari for $150 million
dollars over four years.

McLaren boss Ron Dennis and Haug praised their current drivers -- world
championship leader Mika Hakkinen and Briton David Coulthard for their
performances this season.

Dennis promised the team's 1999 driver line-up would be announced soon.

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