The West McLaren Mercedes team and Mika Hakkinen begin the defenses of their respective 'Constructors and Drivers' titles in Melbourne on March 7, as the Formula One World Championship gears up for another exciting season with the Australian Grand Prix.

With the exception of the introduction of a fourth groove to the front tires, technical regulations have stabilized for 1999 and close, competitive racing should prevail.

Melbourne's Albert Park circuit hosts the first race of the season for the third successive year after it took over the mantle of Australian Grand Prix venue from the popular South Australian city of Adelaide in 1996. Despite first achieving international recognition in 1956 when it staged a non-championship F1 race, Albert Park faded out of the picture for a number of decades before its recent revival. The combination of its scenic, tree-lined circuit and exhilarating Grand Prix weekend atmosphere have established it as one of the leading Formula One venues.

Albert Park has been particularly enjoyable for the team. David Coulthard's 1997 victory was the perfect result to herald the arrival of the new West McLaren Mercedes partnership in Formula One, while Mika and David's impressive one-two finish last season presented the team with the platform on which it built its double-championship triumph.

Mika Hakkinen: "I can't wait for the new season to start. I'm feeling better than ever and looking forward to the opportunity to defend my title. Melbourne is a great place to start the Championship - the track is good fun to race on and the atmosphere is like a carnival."

David Coulthard: "I have spent much of the Winter either testing or concentrating on my physical training, so I feel well prepared for the new Grand Prix season. Albert Park is a good circuit, if lacking in high-speed challenge, and I always seem to perform well here."

Ron Dennis: "The team is only too aware how competitive the new season will be. While testing, as always, is rarely indicative of teams' true performance abilities, our Winter times have supported our belief that the MP4-14 will be competitive in 1999."