Coulthard: Jenson was too fast at start

The McLaren driver, whose race hopes ended after six laps with an engine problem, claims he saw Button in his mirrors speeding too fast on the inside after the start.

And when the 21-year-old Benetton driver went to turn into turn one, the Rettifilo Chicane, he wrecked his entire front wing and took Jordan's Jarno Trulli out as well. A year ago a fire marshal was killed by a flying tyre at the start of the Italian Grand Prix when a multiple pile-up on the second chicane.

Coulthard was all the more incensed with Button after most of the drivers had clubbed together on Sunday morning to decide to take the start more carefully.

"Benetton were clearly desperate to get some points," said the Scot, "but that clearly didn't do Jenson any good. It was always going to end in tears.

"The ridiculous thing is that even when you warn people, they still think they can brake 10 metres later than they do in qualifying," added Coulthard. "He went far too fast into the first chicane - I could see him - and I just think he was wrong to do so."

Coulthard's retirement means Rubens Barrichello, who was second, is now just three points behind him in the drivers championship with two rounds remaining. Neither driver has finished second in the championship before.