Niki Lauda, Ferrari's ex-World Champion and special advisor, came out today saying Eddie Irvine has no chances of winning this year's World Championship. "Under normal circumstances Mika Hakkinen should walk it," said the Austrian, after today's qualifying sessions, which saw Hakkinen take his eighth pole of the year. "Mika is quicker than Eddie, there is no question of that.

"Theoretically, if McLaren do the right job, Ferrari have no chance, because they are quicker as a package. And if Coulthard and Hakkinen don't drive each other off the road, McLaren and Hakkinen should be able to win both titles."

He added that, "Ferrari have to work on maintaining their reliability and hoping the others mess up. It is a combination of the car and the driver together that makes you successful."