Although David Coulthard intends to fight for victories, he made his intentions clear yesterday to back Mika Hakkinen when the World Championship is at stake. This may have attributed to Coulthard's steadfast pace behind the Finn during the German Grand Prix.

"I have to bear in mind the Championship... McLaren have had a few lean years and I know what the title means to them. I want to end the season on a high but if Mika is leading, I am not going to try anything risky," said Coulthard.

Despite a bill banning tobacco advertising that is expected to become law next year in South Africa, Sports Minister Steve Tshwete believes he will obtain a Grand Prix in 1999 at Kyalami.

"We will have the race. We want to clear every hurdle in getting Formula One here," said Tshwete. 1993 was the last year a Grand Prix visited the African continent.