Coulthard Urges McLaren to Debut New Car

Scot David Coulthard pleaded with his McLaren-Mercedes team today to hurry up and complete his new MP4-18 car so the team can continue their challenge of this year's world title.

McLaren currently lead the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships after winning two of the first four races of the year but they will have to race against the new Ferrari F2003-GA in this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.

"We have to have the new car out as soon as possible," said Coulthard. "That's the only way I believe we can continue to challenge for the Championship. Ferrari have got their new car here and you have to presume that the only reason they have got it is because it is quicker.

"If you were picking a car for a single flying lap you'd pick the Ferrari. That's not the gauge of a successful Championship car but it's a good start to have something so quick."

Coulthard is expected to have to wait until the Canadian Grand Prix in June for the debut of the new car, which has not yet been tested. The Scot trails Raikkonen, a first-time winner in Malaysia, by 13 points in the standings after McLaren's reliable MP4-17D benefited from the new points scoring system and rules to score two wins.

But Coulthard knows that reliability testing must be built up before the car is raced and added: "I'll know if the car is better when I drive it for the first time.

"We need to get the car on the track and as soon as possible. I don't exactly know the date - it will be in the next couple, three or four weeks."