Coulthard Expecting All-Ferrari Front Row
McLaren's David Coulthard has predicted that Ferrari drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello will dominate Saturday's qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix.
McLaren's David Coulthard has predicted that Ferrari drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello will dominate Saturday's qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix.
Coulthard, second quickest behind teammate Kimi Raikkonen today, claimed that McLaren's strong performance will not prevent rivals Ferrari and Williams from dominating the qualifying session on Saturday.
He insisted McLaren have closed the gap to Ferrari but said that they were unlikely to have the pace needed to snatch pole.
"I don't suppose for one moment it changes Ferrari's dominance and the Williams are still very strong in qualifying," he added. "I do believe we are closer, but there is a difference to being closer and actually challenging and I still believe Ferrari will be on the front row."
This Scot also said that he will need to raise his game in order to beat McLaren teammate Kimi Raikkonen after being outpaced by the Finn in the last few races and again in today's practice session.,
Williams rival Juan Pablo Montoya hit out at Coulthard's failure to match the younger Raikkonen and the Scot said there is nothing he can do after he was again left admitting defeat to flying Finn Raikkonen at Spa-Francorchamps.
Coulthard had hit out at Montoya branding him "all balls and no brains", before the Colombian hit back with the observation over Raikkonen's performance.
"That's a fair enough comment, just like mine was," Coulthard said. "I wouldn't put someone down for making a true observation. I don't think Kimi has come on strong - I think he is a strong racing driver and he already showed that last year."
But Coulthard insisted the performance of his Mercedes-powered car is not helping and claimed Raikkonen is more suited to the machine than he is.
"There is not secret to the fact that this car is particularly nervous at the rear end and that doesn't extract the best from my driving style," he said. "When we have had a car that is better at the front end it has been more stable and when we get that sorted out I believe I will be in a strong position."
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