Coulthard Wants No Excuses Next Season

McLaren Driver David Coulthard is aiming to be completely focused on his driving when the new Formula One season begins next year.

The Scot, who finished in a career-best second place in the 2001 Championship but a massive 58 points behind World Champion Michael Schumacher, said he wants no excuses in 2002, as he bids to go one better and win his first drivers' title.

"I've mentally set my sights on being 100 percent prepared by then," he told this week's Autosport magazine. "I want everything in my life sorted out.

"Naturally as you grow older as we all know you grow into certain things whether it is relationships, houses, children, whatever it happens to be.

"I am not suggesting I am going down that route but your life gathers a lot of things along the way and I want to make sure I've got no excuses and no distractions.

"That self analysis is good, it helps you stay focused on the job. You ask yourself how do you do the best job. And that is by not having anything else on your mind other than driving Grands Prix."

Coulthard, who will drive for McLaren for the seventh consecutive year next season, will be partnered by young Finn Kimi Raikkonen, who will replace compatriot Mika Hakkinen at the Woking team.