Coulthard attacks penalty decision

"I was trying to re-position the car on the yellow line when I stalled it," said Coulthard.

"It was my mistake and I can live with it."

Mechanics rushed to his aid but because it was not done before the 15-second cut-off he was hit with a 10-second penalty which destroyed his chances of victory.

After the stop he returned to the track 10th and 25 seconds down on
Schumacher. A brief 'off' and a collision with Alexander Wurz was part of a lurid scrap back up the field.

But he only got as far as seventh and ended the day with no reward for his efforts and slipped another 10 points behind Schumacher in the title chase.

"I do not want to criticise anyone because the rules are the rules but the FIA should allow the stewards to show some common sense if someone does not gain an advantage," he said.

"This is what turns people off the sport. They were deprived of a race. It takes away the essence of sport."