Coulthard hoping for Monaco victory

While team-mate Mika Hakkinen was frustrated by traffic and ended up fifth, the Scot was in contention for pole throughout qualifying but wound up third behind Michael Schumacher and Jarno Trulli.

But Coulthard said he is still intent on ending Britain's 27-year wait for a Monaco victory.

Not since Jackie Stewart scored the last of his three Monaco triumphs in has a British driver reached the top step of the podium.

"I can still win tomorrow," said Coulthard.

"There's every chance I could end that 27-year wait. Thats my aim.

"The car has given me a lot of confidence and I feel in good shape for the race.

"I'm disappointed to be third because I have been feeling really strong ever since I did my first run on Thursday.

"I was a bit too cautious at the start of qualifying. I put in a banker, but it was too slow and everyone was leap-frogging ahead of it."

Like Hakkinen, Coulthard was affected by traffic on Monte Carlo's narrow streets - a string of drivers clouted the barriers, usually at Rascasse.

"On the last lap there was someone in trouble at the Swimming Pool complex
and I had to lift - but it's Monaco and you have to expect that."

"I didn't get pole, but it's the race where you get the points.

"The cookie crumbled for Michael and Jarno today, but not for me."

The Scot is using harder Bridgestone tyres than Schumacher and that could have cost him pace in qualifying, but he believes it may prove an advantage in a long, hard, race.

"I don't want to compare the two types of tyres because that would be doing the testing for everyone else," said Coulthard.

"It remains to be seen whether we can make up some places.

"We made our tyre choice based on our all-round package and time will tell whether we have made a good decision."

Coulthard is third in the championship, 22 points behind Schumacher and four behind Hakkinen who is second.

For full qualifying results, click here