David Coulthard's fastest time at yesterday's free practice at the Tyrolian A1 circuit indicates McLaren's intent to halt the roll of Ferrari at the Austrian Grand Prix. Eddie Irvine and Michael Schumacher have had double podium finishes in the past three races and with Schumacher just two points behind Mika Hakkinen at the head of the drivers' table, and Coulthard a single point clear of Irvine, it's all to fight for.

Schumacher and Irvine were seventh and eighth yesterday and Irvine is confident about tomorrow's race. "The track is a mixture of fast and slow turns and it should suit us well," he said.

"There's only seven races left and each one gets more important. For me, I want to beat Coulthard this weekend and help Michael beat Hakkinen."

With Ferrari just three points behind McLaren in the constructors' championship, team bosses are anxious to stop talk about Irvine's future.

"I want to keep the team stable," said Jean Todt, the Napoleonic Ferrari team boss. "Eddie wants to stay, we want him to stay, so I'm sure we will work something out."

Irvine does not want to talk about his future either, though he did deny that he had seen Williams last week. "I was on the boat having fun with the jet-ski," he said. "That story about visiting Williams wasn't true."

The Irishman is looking for a 50 per cent wage increase and better treatment.

Ralf Schumacher is hoping for a change of luck on the track on which he beat his brother Michael last year.

"We put in a new clutch at Magny Cours and that has solved my starting problems," Ralf said. "I like this track but the biggest issue will be tyres. Goodyear are a bit behind but if last year is anything to go by, the tyres will improve as the weekend goes on.

"I want to qualify in the top eight and finish in the points - that's my aim."

He spun halfway through the afternoon session yesterday and was classified 14th.

Damon Hill has received scathing criticism in the British media for his efforts at Silverstone but two weeks in Marbella, Spain with his family has him in a positive frame of mind. "I have reason to believe we are in good shape for qualifying and I think we'll go well here," said the 1996 world champion, who was ninth yesterday.

Without a point this year, Hill has much to prove that he's worth the second largest wage packet in Formula One.