Mika Hakkinen said today that his first-corner shunt with McLaren teammate, David Coulthard - which saw him spin and assume position at the end of the line - cost him a sure win.

"I was very upset," said the Finn, who finished third. "David cost me the race. If it had not been for the accident I would have been half-a-lap ahead of the field as I had been faster than everyone all weekend. When you see your teammate in your mirror you do not expect him to go into you. But I have accepted it was a mistake on David's part and I will learn from it."

David Coulthard conceded that he made a mistake, not evaluating correctly his entry to the corner, and apologised to Hakkinen right after the race ended.