Coulthard title hopes tumble after DNF

The Scot was already playing a game of catch-up following a first corner collision that dropped him to 19th. Coulthard's McLaren was tagged from behind by Jarno Trulli's Jordan on the exit of Copse, and as he began to scythe through the field again, he spun into the gravel for good after an apparent rear suspension failure.

"Even though he (Trulli) was on my inside I was still ahead and because this is quite an open corner I think he should have given me the room," said Coulthard. "He hit my rear suspension and it damaged my car. I was driving around knowing that I had a problem.

"I was going to come in straight away but the team needed some data and then whatever it was caught me out going into Bridge and I spun out.

"I am sure it is going to be a classic case of two drivers with different opinions," he added. "Jarno made a better start. He was on my inside, but because I was ahead I thought I could still maintain my position on the exit. But when I turned he maintained the position and my rear corners turned in.

"He is not in the championship battle but you have got to give up at some point. Two into one does not go and I had the lead. He should have backed off."

Trulli countered, saying: "Being on the inside, I couldn't avoid the accident. I had no more space. It was a racing accident."

Coulthard went into the British Grand Prix - the 11th of 17 races - with a 31-point deficit to Michael Schumacher and a maximum of 70 points at stake. After 10 of 60 laps, Schumacher lay second to Coulthard's team mate Mika Hakkinen.

Speaking on his waning title hopes, Coulthard said: "You never know. Mika's in the lead, so we'll have to wait and see. We may come out of here all square."

Full race report and more news to follow.