Coulthard: Mixed Feelings over Record

It is a record that would prompt mixed feelings for the 34-year-old, who has conceded his hopes of winning a world title have faded with his move from McLaren to newcomers Red Bull.

"What do you have when you reflect on your career? Statistics," Coulthard said on Saturday. "And the ultimate statistic is the World Championship. The reality as it stands is the best I will achieve is second in the World Championship to (Ferrari's) Michael (Schumacher in 2001)."

Coulthard stormed to fourth in his Red Bull debut at the season opener in Melbourne to give himself an outside chance of overtaking Nigel Mansell's points total in steamy Sepang.

"If I end with another three points I'll be the highest-scoring British driver which is no small feat," he said. "But I don't have anything to prove. I'm not doing this for anybody else."

The Scot has accumulated 480 points from 176 races since making his Formula One debut for Williams in 1994. He has won 13 Grands Prix - more than a number of former World Champions. Mansell took part in 187 races and won the World Championship with Williams in 1992.

The scoring system has changed since Mansell's day however, with the Briton racing at a time when points were awarded for the top six finishers only. Until 1991, the race winner also took nine points rather than 10. The current system introduced in 2003 rewards the top eight, with points awarded 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1.

While Coulthard said he would take pride in overtaking Mansell, he believes the record will not stand for long.

"It's a statistic and not an insignificant one but it will only be for a short period with Jenson (Button) scoring points as he is," said Coulthard. "I'm not there yet - three points are difficult to come by."

Button was third overall last year for BAR with 85 points. His career tally now stands at 130. Coulthard was 11th in Saturday's first qualifying and said the best Red Bull could hope for was to maintain their position in the middle of the Formula One paddock.

"I'm conscious of the fact that I have not got a real chance of poles and victories," he said. "But I enjoy the challenge and I enjoy the pressure. That's what rings my bell still."