Coulthard Laments Lost Opportunity

Coulthard was again a victim of circumstances, when the Minardi of Christian Albers spun at Mirabeau. Coulthard slowed down but Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, behind the Scot, did not see the incident in time and hit Coulthard from the back, with other cars then tangled in the jam.

The incident damaged the Red Bull rear suspension beyond repair, and Coulthard drove into the pits and retired.

"That is racing, especially at Monaco," Coulthard commented. "The Minardi lost it on the entry to Mirabeau I could see him, but Michael couldn't see so he hit me and broke the rear suspension."

Coulthard, who was sixth when he retired, running behind Williams's Mark Webber, added that he was expecting a strong result, given the strategy he was using.

"We had a full fuel tank and were looking very good, we were going well," the Scot said. "I am not too sure how far Mark was down the road, but we reckon we could have gone as long as anybody, if not the longest."