Mclaren Preparing For Team Orders.

Mika Hakkinen's mistake at the Italian Grand Prix may force McLaren to use team orders at the remaining three races this season.


The Finn crashed out of the race at Monza after selecting the wrong gear for one of the chicanes, and the error allowed Ferrari's Eddie Irvine to draw level at the head of the world championship - despite only finishing sixth on the road. Now, the Woking team is expected to ask Hakkinen's team-mate David Coulthard to back up the Finn's title bid.


"We'll probably look at team orders before the next race," confirmed McLaren boss Ron Dennis, "although we still lead both championships, we've got the fastest car, two fast drivers and are in great shape."


Coulthard's own title chances also took a heavy blow at Monza, where the Scot could only convert third on the grid into fifth at the flag. Coulthard spent almost the entire weekend chasing a mystery handling problem, and was never a match for either Hakkinen or Jordan's Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who won the race.