Coulthard Aims to Get his Act Together

David Coulthard says he needs to get his act together to keep his Formula One title hopes on the road.

The Scot was fifth in Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix after a poor qualifying performance left him starting 14th and attempting a salvage operation that he likened to trying to raise the Titanic.

At the same time, McLaren teammate Kimi Raikkonen finished second to stay overall leader, two points clear of Ferrari's five times World Champion Michael Schumacher. Raikkonen has 40 points to Coulthard's 23.

"Imola and here obviously I've been weak in terms of only getting fifth place so I need to get my act back together in Monaco and get some good points," Coulthard told Reuters.

Monaco, where the Scot lives and which he won against the odds last year after holding off Schumacher's challenge, is the next race.

"I was below the pace that I expected I would have here this weekend," said Coulthard, who won in Australia but failed to finish in Spain two weeks ago. "I never really felt comfortable with the car...hopefully we can get a good test under our belts and get a feel for the car for Monaco because if it feels like this I don't think I will be able to push."

Coulthard has won twice in Monaco and he knows well what a lottery that race can be on a track where overtaking is almost impossible. Strategy and reliability are the key.

"It's possible if you get the grid position then it can work out so that's what we obviously have to do," said the Scot, fifth in the Championship. "I would like to see myself back on the podium."

Michelin tyre boss Pierre Dupasquier said Monaco could be a step into the unknown, however.

"The Monaco track layout has been changed for the first time in many years, although that won't make overtaking any easier," said the Frenchman. "What's more, a substantial section of the track has been resurfaced and it won't be like the Monaco we have come to know and love.

"We won't necessarily be able to fall back on the data we have picked up during the past two seasons."