Coulthard Could do with a Change, Says Ecclestone

Briton David Coulthard could do with a change of team, according to Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

"Maybe if David did move it would be good for him," British newspapers quoted him as saying on Friday. "He feels too comfortable at McLaren. That would shake him up.

"I like David but you have to wonder if, like Tim Henman at Wimbledon, his chances of winning the world title are over," added the Briton. "Let's face it, you would not want to be racing with Kimi Raikkonen as your teammate. That can't be easy for him having a young super-quick guy on his case.

"David has good talent, he works hard. He just needs the motivation. A change might give him that."

Coulthard has been at McLaren since 1996 and was runner-up to Ferrari's Michael Schumacher in the 2001 Championship. This year he has struggled to match Finland's Raikkonen and is languishing in seventh place with 29 points.

Raikkonen is second overall with 56.

Coulthard told reporters at the French Grand Prix last weekend that he wanted to stay at McLaren in 2004: "This is where I want to be and where I would choose to be."