Coulthard Not Surprised by Williams

McLaren driver David Coulthard said he is not surprised by the impressive start to the season from the BMW-Williams team and their drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya.

Briton Coulthard, who is joint leader of the championship with Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, said Ralf deserved his maiden win in San Marino and both drivers have done well.

"We knew that Williams had a very competitive package," said Coulthard ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. "We knew that Juan Pablo Montoya was quick and had plenty of testing experience and could do a job for the team.

"You must not take anything away from Ralf Schumacher. They thoroughly deserved their victory. He has been very quick himself and I think there is a lot more to come from him."

Coulthard suggested that BMW-Williams could have a say in the championship race, not to mention his team mate Mika Hakkinen, who has just four points so far but has won for the last three years in Spain.

He added: "Mika Hakkinen should not be ruled out in this situation. He is still capable of catching up. I am up there in the championship race because I have been scoring points and no one else has been.

"That is how it goes but I am not surprised because I have been in this situation before and I am just doing my job. But it is still early days and there is a very long way to go."