David Coulthard Q&A
David Coulthard's World Championship hopes were dealt a severe blow when he was bundled out of the Italian GP in the second chicane accident. With Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen both finishing on the podium, David has now fallen 19 points behind his team mate. A score of just 11 from the last four starts - compared to the 32 of Mika and 22 of Michael - has proved very expensive. David accepts that team orders will probably be inevitable as early as the next race in Indianapolis, even though mathematically, he still has a chance. Adam Cooper spoke to the Scot about events in Monza and the rest of the season
"I made a great start, and went from fifth to third. I followed Mika into the first chicane, and covered Trulli into the second chicane, and then all of a sudden it went wrong from there, and different cars piled into the back of me. I honestly didn't know who it was, but fingers seemed to be pointing at Heinz - Rubens said he should be banned for 10 races because he's trying too hard. I'm disappointed obviously because it's not a good day."
"There was a lot of debris, and that was uncomfortable. I tried to keep my head down as much as possible, but in the gravel put up so much dust I couldn't see anything. I knew there were going to be other cars coming."
"No, I felt him as he came over, because he hit my car on the way through. It was incredible."
"Before I got out of my car I looked up and I saw a marshal's helmet lying in middle of the gravel. There were no marshals around at that time. I thought it was unlikely that someone had thrown a marshal's helmet into the gravel, and it was more likely that someone had been involved in the incident."
"I'm reluctant to criticise those who are in charge of our safety, because it's a difficult job, and largely they do a good job. But I think from a sporting point of view, when we lose so many cars on the first lap, there is a question. I think people like the excitement of the start of a GP, so I think there's an argument that we could have had a restart."
"Yes, that's possible."
"Yes, but I trust in the team. They were two completely unrelated incidents, and they understand exactly why both of them happened. Different sides of the car, different sorts of reasons, different failures."
"Yes, it is. It's now in the hands of the team as to what they want to happen. I'm now 19 points behind. There are 30 to be won so theoretically there's a chance, but you must ask the team for their position."
"I think that will be the situation. It's obviously the team's call, it's not something that comes from me, but I think in this situation that's what will be happening."
"I don't mind the pressure of being in the hunt for the championship. I do mind not being in the hunt."
"I'm just looking forward to seeing what it's like."
"It's just another corner..."
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