Coulthard optimistic he will be fit

The Scot lost control of his car under braking at the fastest part of the Monte Carlo circuit - right at the exit of the tunnel.

Coulthard's Red Bull car hit the barriers heavily before skidding down the escape route.

Coulthard said he was feeling sore, but was optimistic he will be fine for tomorrow.

"This was one of the biggest hits actually - although it doesn't look like much from the outside," Coulthard told reporters. "It really hurts when you hit the barrier and I would not want to be an IndyCar driver hitting the wall - because today was hard enough. I wouldn't have wanted more than that.

"After the first impact, I wished I was anywhere other than being strapped in a racing car. What I know, which you guys haven't experienced, is that when you lose a corner you lose the brakes.

"The corner has gone, so the fluid is open - you are pushing the brake pedal but there is nothing. At that point it is the luck of the gods whether you hit one wall or another wall - and today obviously I was lucky.

"The second hit, when I got to the end of the run off area, I put my head against the headrest and I was ready for the impact. Then you don't get the whiplash - but the first hit you don't get a chance. I hit my elbow on something, but it is not too bad.

"I have a sore head and a sore elbow, but I don't want to go to the medical centre and get hooked up to stuff. I will see how I feel tomorrow, but I think I will be okay."

He added: "Obviously I lost control of the car when I hit the brakes - but I don't know exactly why I lost the rear. I have braked many times into that chicane without problems.

"The team will look at all the data, and try and understand that everything was in good shape. But until they say otherwise, I just have to presume that I lost the rear."

The accident took place in the same spot where Jenson Button and Karl Wendlinger had crashed and lose consciousness in past years.

Coulthard admitted he was lucky to escape uninjured.

"That is the worst place on this track - you are over 180mph and when you lose a corner, the car doesn't slow down as you have no brakes. So I was very lucky today - and we just have to rebuild the car and go for it tomorrow," he said.

Despite the accident, Coulthard qualified in the top ten, although he was unable to run in the final session.

And the Red Bull driver is hopeful that the weather will play a part in the race and help him score points.

"If cars run reliably then points will be difficult. We saw that last year in Monaco, because nearly all the cars finished. But you've got to think with the weather the way it is, it is going to be an unpredictable race - and points are there to get."