NOVEMBER 22, 2000

Haug talks about new Mercedes-Benz engine

MERCEDES-BENZ motorsport head Norbert Haug has revealed details of the new engine his company will provide for the McLaren team in the 2001 season.

Haug, speaking to the German press, talked about the new power-unit that will make its debut for McLaren at the team's test at the Jerez circuit, Spain, from December 4.

"It is a completely new engine," said Haug. "Easily smaller, but stronger and with a lower center of gravity. We have never finished a product so early, and this is an advantage."

After watching McLaren's Mika Hakkinen lose the world championship to Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher, Haug blamed himself for the defeat and insisted that next year's engine will help Hakkinen and his team-mate David Coulthard retaliate in 2001.

He added: "2001 is going to be a hard fight. But at the moment I would say we are more than ready."