Coulthard: Third Place Means a Lot at Indy

David Coulthard said he was delighted to secure third place in the United States Grand Prix as he regards the Indianapolis-based event as one of the more prestigious on the calendar.

Briton Coulthard started from seventh and said he was surprised, but pleased, to be on the podium at Indianapolis despite not overtaking any other driver.

"Indianapolis is one of the bigger races," said Coulthard. "You only get 10 points for winning any of them, but it's definitely one of the bigger races. I was standing up on the podium here thinking, yeah, this is nice to be on the podium at Indianapolis more than maybe a third in other places.

"I feel fortunate today because I didn't overtake anyone, and I went from seventh to third."

Coulthard is now closer to securing second place in the Championship after closest rival Rubens Barrichello dropped out two laps from the finish of the United States Grand Prix. Barrichello was second when his Ferrari developed an engine problem and he dropped out to promote Coulthard to third and leave him seven points ahead in the standings.

That means Barrichello needs a win at the last round in Japan along with a non-points scoring finish for Coulthard at Suzuka.