Coulthard Lashes Out at 'Hooligan' Webber

Although Webber is a fellow director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association and a keen campaigner for driver safety, Coulthard has publicly gone on the attack against the Australian.

He is furious at the way Webber fought against him in Istanbul - and claims he has no sympathy for the Williams driver, who had to retire from the race after multiple tyre failures as well as a collision with Michael Schumacher.

Speaking in his column in The Daily Record, Coulthard said: "Mark Webber will be the next Australian World Champion - in boxing, not Formula One. The man is a hooligan and he underlined the fact in Turkey when he performed a wild move on me.

"There's an agreement between drivers that you can defend your position once - then you have to give in.

"But in Istanbul he left me livid when he gave me a sideways swipe at Turn 11, moving his Williams-BMW towards my car like a fighter flashing a dummy punch in the ring.

"It's disgusting behaviour, unprofessional and I have no sympathy for Webber after he almost smacked into Michael Schumacher in the same race.

"He must be doing this out of frustration. He was tipped to be the next Aussie ace to win the world title but next year he will be in a team with a non-manufacturer engine - albeit the Cosworth, which has been good for me this season.

"His strength has always been how to qualify a car but on the track he is a madman."

Coulthard's comment ironically came after Webber vowed to raise the issue of driving standards in meetings at the Italian Grand Prix. The Australian was angry at what he perceived was bad driving from Schumacher after they hit each other, when Webber was trying to unlap himself.