Häkkinen remained at McLaren for 1999, with Coulthard partnering him for the upcoming season.
The team suffered problems with their car, the McLaren MP4/14, during pre-season testing, resulting in a lack of preparation.
Despite these setbacks, Häkkinen was confident going into the season, saying: "I've gained confidence and experience and am more relaxed.
With this title I no longer have to tell myself every morning I can win, to put pressure on myself."

At the opening round in Australia, Häkkinen was forced into retiring as his car developed a throttle issue.
However, he managed his first victory of the season in Brazil, despite his car developing a gearbox problem early in the race.
Häkkinen retired from the race in San Marino when he collided with a barrier while leading.
At the Monaco Grand Prix, Häkkinen finished in third place, having slid on oil left on the track surface in the race.
He followed up the results by having consecutive victories in the races held in Spain and Canada.
Häkkinen took a second-place finish in France, and was forced into another retirement in Britain, as a result of a wheel failure.
During the Austrian Grand Prix, Häkkinen who started from pole position, was hit by Coulthard from behind and rejoined at the back of the field.
Häkkinen eventually finished in 3rd place.

During the German Grand Prix, it was announced that Häkkinen would remain at McLaren for 2000.
Häkkinen encountered further bad fortunes in the race when his car's right rear tyre exploded at high speed, forcing his car into a 360° spin before resting on a tyre wall.
He managed his fourth victory of the year at Hungary, and followed up the result with a second place in Belgium.
Häkkinen retired from the following race held in Italy, due to a spin while leading the race.
He finished further with fifth place at the European Grand Prix, and achieved a podium finish with third place in Malaysia.
At the season finale held in Japan, Häkkinen took victory, which ensured he took enough points to win the 1999 World Championship, with 76 points, ahead of nearest rival Eddie Irvine.
In November, Häkkinen was ranked seventh in the Reuters Sports Personality of the Year Poll scoring 46 out of a possible 260 points.
He was also awarded his second consecutive Autosport International Racing Driver Award for 1999.
In November, Häkkinen was announced as one of the seven men shortlisted for the Finnish Sports Personality of the Year.
At the awards ceremony on 28 December, Häkkinen was awarded second place behind skier Mika Myllylä.
Häkkinen remained at McLaren for 1999, with Coulthard partnering him for the upcoming season. The team suffered problems with their car, the McLaren MP4/14, during pre-season testing, resulting in a lack of preparation. Despite these setbacks, Häkkinen was confident going into the season, saying: "I've gained confidence and experience and am more relaxed. With this title I no longer have to tell myself every morning I can win, to put pressure on myself."
At the opening round in Australia, Häkkinen was forced into retiring as his car developed a throttle issue. However, he managed his first victory of the season in Brazil, despite his car developing a gearbox problem early in the race. Häkkinen retired from the race in San Marino when he collided with a barrier while leading. At the Monaco Grand Prix, Häkkinen finished in third place, having slid on oil left on the track surface in the race. He followed up the results by having consecutive victories in the races held in Spain and Canada. Häkkinen took a second-place finish in France, and was forced into another retirement in Britain, as a result of a wheel failure. During the Austrian Grand Prix, Häkkinen who started from pole position, was hit by Coulthard from behind and rejoined at the back of the field. Häkkinen eventually finished in 3rd place.
During the German Grand Prix, it was announced that Häkkinen would remain at McLaren for 2000. Häkkinen encountered further bad fortunes in the race when his car's right rear tyre exploded at high speed, forcing his car into a 360° spin before resting on a tyre wall. He managed his fourth victory of the year at Hungary, and followed up the result with a second place in Belgium. Häkkinen retired from the following race held in Italy, due to a spin while leading the race. He finished further with fifth place at the European Grand Prix, and achieved a podium finish with third place in Malaysia. At the season finale held in Japan, Häkkinen took victory, which ensured he took enough points to win the 1999 World Championship, with 76 points, ahead of nearest rival Eddie Irvine. In November, Häkkinen was ranked seventh in the Reuters Sports Personality of the Year Poll scoring 46 out of a possible 260 points. He was also awarded his second consecutive Autosport International Racing Driver Award for 1999. In November, Häkkinen was announced as one of the seven men shortlisted for the Finnish Sports Personality of the Year. At the awards ceremony on 28 December, Häkkinen was awarded second place behind skier Mika Myllylä.
Mika Häkkinen