Coulthard Hints at Possible Monaco Debut for MP4-18

David Coulthard says his McLaren team could gamble on their untried new car, the much-awaited MP4-18, in the Monaco Grand Prix in an effort to erase the advantage rivals Ferrari have with their latest machine.

Coulthard said if tests at the Paul Ricard Circuit next week prove that McLaren's new car was quicker and as reliable as the MP4-17D, they could rush it into action around the streets of the principality.

"If the 18 is quicker and reliable then you'd take that. Even if you didn't know it. Quicker is quicker," said Coulthard, who was over a second behind the Ferrari of pace-setter Michael Schumacher in today's qualifying session for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix.

But he warned: "There's no point being on pole position in Monaco and breaking down on lap 20. What we have to prove in the 18 is its speed and reliability."

Coulthard, however, did hint that he is becoming eager for McLaren to get the MP4-18 up and running before Ferrari move into the lead of both Drivers' and Constructors' Championships and vanish into the distance.

"There's a lot of excitement surrounding the new car. It's like waiting for Christmas. It seems to take longer when you want something to happen," added Coulthard.

The Scot, fifth in the drivers' standings, believes the best he and teammate Kimi Raikkonen can hope for this weekend at the A1-Ring is to creep onto the podium, behind the seemingly unstoppable F2003-GA's of Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello.

"I think we can be on the podium," he said. "I think Ferrari are going to be very strong. We have to decide on the compromise of the first pit-stop, fuel level versus getting grid position, not getting caught in traffic. I hope that being reliable and keeping out of trouble will be good for us."