McLaren: Don't write us off yet

'We simply have to win both the remaining races here and in Malaysia - and there's no reason why we shouldn't be capable of doing that.'

Dennis flew out to Japan after spending a week at McLaren's Woking base super-vising work on next year's car and rallying his workforce for a final fling to help Hakkinen t o his third successive championship.

There are many who believe it is a task beyond them but Dennis said defiantly: 'We are an organisation which thrives on adversity. We were down in the dumps after America - for just a few hours - but we will be back on the attack in Suzuka this weekend.

'We are strong in many respects, more than able to show the resilience and character required and that is not an idle boast. Had we been uncompetitive in the last race it might have been different, but we had the ability to have won and, certainly, the fastest car on the track.'

Dennis has a reputation for being a perfectionist but he is also a great practical joker who was once involved in a prank which left Ayrton Senna's hotel bed full of frogs.

He will not be up to any of those tricks this weekend but is determined to ensure that both Hakkinen and his teammate David Coulthard have a combination of a relaxed, but focused environment.

Schumacher and Hakkinen are very evenly matched here at a circuit that makes huge demands on cars and drivers with its combination of high, low and medium- speed corners. The German won the race in 1995 and 1997 while the Finn has triumphed for the past two years.

Schumacher could finish second to Hakkinen here and in Malaysia - and still win the title. But he said: 'I will be looking for a victory in Suzuka to clinch the championship before the final race.

'I am in no mood to relax and consider that I've already done the job. The championship is not over until it has become a reality.'