Hakkinen says Coulthard is bigger threat than Schumacher

   Copyright c 1998 Nando Media
   Copyright c 1998 Associated Press

HOCKENHEIM, Germany (Jul 30, 1998 - 12:05 EDT) -- Even though Michael
Schumacher is his closest rival, Mika Hakkinen thinks the biggest threat to
his Formula One championship hopes will come from his teammate, David
Coulthard.

The two McLaren-Mercedes drivers have been dominating this season and come
into the German Grand Prix on Sunday following their 1-2 sweep in Austria,
where Hakkinen finished ahead of Coulthard.

Hakkinen's victory snapped Schumacher's three-race winning streak.
Schumacher is trying to become the first Ferrari driver since Jody
Scheckter of South Africa in 1979 to win the drivers' championship.

"The red car (Ferrari) has been a challenger all year," Hakkinen
said Thursday, "but the top car at the moment is McLaren.

"And I am the top driver. This may sound very confident, but we have
been very strong in all aspects. We have been very consistent the entire
season."

In Austria, Hakkinen started from the second row on the grid. He blasted to
the front from the start and was in the lead by the first corner. Avoiding
trouble in an accident-filled race, Hakkinen won easily.

While Hakkinen had a virtually perfect run, Coulthard was the one who had a
spectacular race.

The Briton was in the back of the field after qualifying 14th. He was
involved in one of several first-lap accidents and had to make an early pit
stop for repairs.

Coulthard rejoined the race while the safety car was still pacing the
field. Back in last place, Coulthard steadily overtook everyone except
Hakkinen.

Hakkinen, who twice fought off Schumacher's attempts to overtake, said he
was astonished to see Coulthard behind him.

"I couldn't believe it, I was a bit worried," Hakkinen said.

With six races left in the season, Hakkinen has an eight-point lead over
Schumacher, a two-time champion before he joined Ferrari.

"Schumacher has shown that you always have to count him and
Ferrari," Hakkinen said, "but I think that David will be my
toughest opponent. He's always a big challenge."

Hakkinen has 66 points, Schumacher is second with 58 and Coulthard third with 36.

Hakkinen has five victories this season, Schumacher four and Coulthard one.
Coulthard has been second to Hakkinen four times.

Sunday's race over 45 laps on the 4.2-mile Hockenheim Ring is on one of the
fastest Formula One tracks and is likely to favor McLaren.

But Hockenheim is where Schumacher feels at home and he will have the
support of 150,000 fans.

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