Coulthard's unlucky run continues

The Scot badly needed to atone for accidentally shunting team-mate Mika Hakkinen out of the Austrian Grand Prix seven days before.

This time he was the only one to suffer when he hit the back of Mika Salo while lining up to pass him for second place and was forced to pit for a new nose cone.

He returned to they fray but was force to pit again to serve out a 10 second penalty after accidentally straight-lining a chicane while trying to overtake Olivier Panis.

'I think it was a pit hard to give me a penalty because I would have overtaken Panis sooner or later,' said Coulthard.

'I only went across it to avoid hitting him from behind.

'I had no intention of overtaking Mika Salo at the point where we collided. I think he snookered me a bit there. He braked quite early in front of me and I went to the inside to avoid hitting him.'

He was re-signed by McLaren for the year 2000 late on Saturday night.

'I'm not really relieved to have climbed back from that to get two points.

'I feel disappointed for the team. We came here to get 16 points and we got two. It's not a nice way to return the favour the team but you cannot pick these things.

'We just have to look forward.

'I am pleased I am with McLaren again next year. They are the best team in the paddock.'

Team boss Ron Dennis remained positive, despite today's setback.

'With six races remaining we will use the strength and depth of the team in order to achieve our goals,' he said.

'There is still a long way to go and this has never been a sport for the faint hearted.'