Coulthard edges out Fisichella

   Copyright c 1998 Nando Media
   Copyright c 1998 Agence France-Presse

ZELTWEG, Austria (Jul 24, 1998 - 11:52 EDT) - David Coulthard overshadowed
his McLaren-Mercedes teammate Mika Hakkinen for once as he posted the
fastest time in Friday's opening practice sessions for Sunday's Austrian
Grand Prix.

Coulthard has scored just one point in the last four races to fall 26
points behind championship leader Hakkinen in the drivers' standings, but
was in fine touch around the A-1 Ring.

The 27-year-old Scot edged out Benetton's Giancarlo Fisichella of Italy by
just one-1000th of a second with a 1:13.703 lap.

Coulthard, who was only third-quickest in the morning session, sliced
almost a second off his previous best time to boost his hopes of claiming
pole position tomorrow for Sunday's 71-lap race.

Hakkinen also improved to finish third-fastest with Britain's Johnny
Herbert a fourth best in his Sauber.

Germany's Michael Schumacher, just two points behind Flying Finn Hakkinen
in the driver's race, was seventh-fastest in his Ferrari, just ahead of his
Irish teammate Eddie Irvine.

Former world champion Damon Hill of Britain took over a second-and-a-half
off his previous best to finish ninth-fastest in his Jordan, ahead of both
the Williams cars, with defending champion Jacques Villeneuve of Canada
well back in 13th spot.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who is to be axed by Williams at the end of the
season, did little to impress any prospective employers as he spun off at
the last corner before the start-finish straight. The German had to settle
for the 17th-fastest time.

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