MAY 29, 2001

Dennis frustrated by lack of launch

DESPITE suggestions to the contrary from McLaren technical director Adrian Newey in Austria, Ron Dennis has admitted the McLaren team continue to be troubled by their launch control system.

David Coulthard's McLaren stalled on the grid in the Monaco Grand Prix last Sunday, the second time is has done so in three races, and Dennis was dismayed his team had not got to grips with the problem.

"It is just a repeat performance of Barcelona," said Dennis. "The actual cause was different and it was pretty frustrating.

"The engineers responsible trawled through the data to stop it happening again, but it did so I feel we are pretty uncomfortable."

"David's engine shut down, which is caused by excessive conditions input into the software which had not been provided for.

"As is always the case when the computer sees a set of conditions that it doesn't expect to see it will turn the engine off as it's failsafe."

McLaren will aim to sort out their problems when they join most of the Grand Prix teams, including Ferrari, in testing at Magny-Cours on Tuesday.