David Coulthard is confident in his chances ...

Published on 09 April 1998 by Verstappen Info Page

David Coulthard is confident in his chances to beat teammate Mika Hakkinen in the Argentine Grand Prix this weekend. "It is my aim to beat Mika and to be the world champion this year, and I feel that the Argentine circuit is one of those where I really have a very good chance of beating him." said the Scotsman. Mika Hakkinen replied: "It will be tough, I know that. But I feel confident now and I know what it takes to win a race. That helps me all the time and it makes me more determined the next race." He concluded: "It is very early in the season and much too early to talk about the championship."

Last year's World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has had a very disappointing start of the season with only two points so far, outpaced by teammate Heinz-Harald Frentzen and seventh overall. He is hopeful though about the new tyres they'll be using this weekend: "I will never give up the chase for the championship. I'm looking forward to using the new Goodyear tyre in Argentina and I am sure we can make another step forward before the following race in Imola."

Ferrari has their hopes set on a new revision of their engine, the 047D. The new engine has an improved valve system and is able to rev 300 rpm higher than the previous version. Stewart will have a new version of the Ford engine with less horsepower but more torque thus improving reliability. The engine has less horsepower than the version used in both the Tyrrell and Minardi.

The Nürburgring GmbH will invest 120 million Mark in the more than 70 year old circuit in the next few years. Among other things the money will be spent on a new pitbox complex and more stands for 140.000 visitors in total. The circuit has earned more than 30 million Mark with events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Truck Grand Prix and has the intention of becoming the number 1 racetrack in the world.