DECEMBER 19, 2000

Mercedes boss Hubbert promises more for 2001

MERCEDES-BENZ motorsport director Jurgen Hubbert has promised that the German engine supplier will be doing everything possible to assist McLaren in closing the gap on double world champions Ferrari in 2001.

McLaren driver Mika Hakkinen was forced to settle for the runners-up spot last year after missing on a record-equalling third successive world title to Ferrari's Michael Schumacher.

But Hubbert, who celebrated 100 years of Mercedes this year, is confident that an improved Mercedes-Benz engine will help Hakkinen, or his team-mate David Coulthard, to the top of the sport next season.

"The Mercedes story hails from a passion of achieving our dreams, pushing back limits, never standing still and refusing to be discouraged by anything," Hubbert said. "We will make sure that happens again next year.

"Mercedes may be 100-years-old, but we feel we are getting younger all the time and aim to more dynamic than ever before in 2001. Through the 1990's we have acquired a fresh focus and our desire to be champions in Formula One will be there for a long time yet."