Coulthard Calls for Improved Reliability

Scot David Coulthard says his McLaren team will need to improve their reliability in order to win races in the 2002 season.

Coulthard and teammate Kimi Raikkonen were forced into retirement at today's Malaysian Grand Prix due to problems with their Mercedes-Benz engines, leaving Coulthard with no points and McLaren with only four after two races.

The Scot, who also retired from the Australian Grand Prix two weeks ago due to a problem with his car, said the Woking-based squad will need a better reliability if they are to fight for wins this year.

"I'm disappointed with today's result because I believe both Kimi and myself could have secured a couple of good finishes," said Coulthard. "All of a sudden the engine went onto nine cylinders. I didn't know exactly what caused the problem but the team decided it was safer to retire.

"It's been a difficult weekend, really. However we have to stay focused and I know we have a package which is capable of winning races, but we just need a bit of reliability."