FERRARI BOSS: WE'VE NEARLY COULT YOU UP

DAVID Coulthard stormed to pole position for today's Canadian Grand Prix.

But Ferrari supremo Jean Todt warned the Scot's McLaren team that his outfit can still knock them off their Formula One perch.

It was Coulthard's third top spot and his dramatic last-gasp effort made sure a McLaren has been on pole for every race this year. He went out with just minutes remaining of the session and stole team- mate Mika Hakkinen's thunder with the fastest lap around the Gilles Villeneuve circuit.

His speed and belief puts him in ideal position to cut the 17 points lead of Hakkinen, who was just 0.069 seconds behind, in the title race.

Coulthard said: "As you have seen the first Grand Prix pole position is very important. I am very happy. It could have gone either way."

But Todt told rival Ron Dennis that McLaren had better make the most of their advantage because Michael Schumacher, who was third, has the pair firmly in his sights.

"Michael is the best driver in Formula One," declared Todt. "McLaren have been very successful up to now and a lot depends on how we are able to react. It is still an open situation as we have got a number of improvements to come."

Ferrari have improved Goodyear tyres for this race and are hoping that Schumacher can repeat his win from last year - when Coulthard stalled in the pits.

Damon Hill is 10th on the grid but was once again out-qualified by Jordan partner Ralf Schumacher (fifth).

Eddie Irvine of Ferrari and Sauber's Johnny Herbert line up eighth and 12th. Reigning champ Jacques Villeneuve managed sixth.

RACE FOR

THE TITLE

DRIVER PTS

Hakkinen 46

Coulthard 29

Schumacher 24

Irvine 15

Wurz 9

Frentzen 8

Villeneuve 8

Fisichella 7

Alesi 3

Salo 3

Barrichello 2

Herbert 1

Diniz 1

Copyright 1998 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.