Coulthard Relishing Role as McLaren's Number One

David Coulthard says he is relishing the prospect of finally being recognised as the senior driver in a Formula One team after a career spent following in the slipstream of his teammates.

The Briton was the number two driver behind Damon Hill at Williams in 1994 and 1995 and also had to play second fiddle to Mika Hakkinen at McLaren when the Finn won back-to-back world titles in 1998 and 1999.

But with Hakkinen choosing to take a year's sabbatical and McLaren opting for young Finn Kimi Raikkonen as his replacement for 2002, Coulthard has finally emerged as the senior driver.

"I feel very comfortable with that position but I don't underestimate the challenge ahead," Coulthard told a news conference on Thursday in the build-up to this weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Coulthard, 30, is nine years older than Raikkonen and has driven in 124 Grand Prix compared to the Finn's 17 but says he is not taking anything for granted.

"You don't have to be a brain surgeon to work out that it's not going to be very good if I'm not quicker than him," Coulthard said. "But the fact is Kimi is quick and on that basis it doesn't mean I'm going to be in front of him every time.

"It's not as though he's just starting to walk, he's been racing for a number of years and he knows how to drive the car quickly."

Schumacher Challenge

Coulthard finished third in the Drivers' Championship four times between 1995 and 2000 but climbed one place to finish second last year and looms as the biggest threat to Michael Schumacher's bid to claim a record-equalling fifth title this year.

"You clearly have to have confidence in your own ability," Coulthard said. "It's a bit unfortunate to be racing in a period against a guy who has won more Grand Prix than any other man in the sport but there you go, that's the challenge.

"But it's one that I relish and enjoy and I'm looking forward to adding to my meagre 11 Grand Prix victories."

Coulthard won the Australian Grand Prix in 1997 and also finished second in 1998 and again last year but is quietly confident of claiming another victory this weekend. Engine failure forced him to retire from the 1999 and 2000 Australian Grand Prix but the Scot said he expected this year's car to be more reliable.

"We managed to complete more miles in the new car than we ever have before," he said. "Statistically that means we've got a better chance of getting both cars to the finish line and the car seems to be a step forward than last year's car."