1999: 2nd. Engine: Mercedes. Past Drivers' Titles: 11. Past Constructors' Titles: 8.

Last year's loss of the constructors' title and the kerfuffle surrounding Eddie Irvine's challenge to Mika Hakkinen's title were the result of just one thing - unreliability. McLaren know it though and design guru Adrian Newey has been at pains to point out that the gremlins that infested 1999's MP4/14 have been removed. In the end, the team's chances of taking the constructors' trophy will rest on the shoot-out between the drivers and while its likely to be hair's-breadth close, the partnership of Hakkinen and Coulthard against Schumacher and Barrichello in roughly equal machinery doesn't look like a winning combination.

Mika Hakkinen (Fin)

1999: 1st. Age: 31. GP starts: 128. Total points: 294. Best result: 14 wins (last Japan '99), 2 F1 titles (C98 /'99). Best qualifying: 21 pole positions.

A third title on the trot is a little much to ask of Hakkinen, although the Finn swears his motivation is undiluted. Certainly, the prospect of a hat-trick will be hard to resist. He is super quick, hates to lose and has a knack for turning it on when the pressure is at its most intense.

David Coulthard (Sco)

1999: 4th. Age: 28. GP starts: 90. Total points: 221. Best result: 6 wins (last Belgium '99). Best qualifying: 8 poles.

Much like last year, the Scot enters this season telling anyone who'll listen that he is much more focused, far more selfish, and better prepared for the challenge ahead. It has become a mantra for the McLaren number two and one which again shows no sign of becoming an answered prayer. While Coulthard can be as quick and territorially protective as anyone on the grid, he is also errorprone.