Coulthard: “The engine was switched off”
David Coulthard has claimed the reason he stalled on the dummy grid for Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix was because his engine "was switched off"
The Scot was forced to start the race, easily the most difficult of the year from an overtaking perspective, from the rear of the grid after his car refused to start the green flag lap - a carbon copy of what happened before the Spanish GP. He recovered to finish the race in fifth place, but has dropped 12 points behind series leader, and race winner, Michael Schumacher.
"I suffered a technical problem of which the team will explain," said Coulthard. "Basically, the engine was switched off."
Coulthard's resultant damage limitation exercise was helped by the fact his McLaren has one of the biggest fuel tanks on the grid and he was able to delay his pit stop until late in the race. His task was made much harder, however, by blatant blocking tactics from Arrows driver Enrique Bernoldi, who kept him behind for over 40 laps.
"It was very frustrating behind Enrique," said DC. "He was only doing his job, but he was so slow. He was also closing the door quite hard on me, but he's entitled to do that I suppose."
Coulthard admitted the episode has harmed his championship chances, but he is adamant that he won't give up on his title dream.
"Of course it makes the championship harder," he said. "I can only do my best, which I feel I did today. The rest is down to the racing Gods."
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