DC not looking forward to Kimi's arrival

Hakkinen is taking a sabbatical from Formula 1 next year and is relinquishing his seat to young Sauber star Raikkonen. While the move puts the onus on Coulthard to take the fight to Michael Schumacher and Ferarri next year, the Scot is sorry to see his partnership with double world champ Hakkinen come to an end.

"I'm not looking forward to it, but that's not to say that I don't welcome Kimi to the team," Coulthard told Autosport.com. "I was perfectly happy with the working relationship that Mika and I had, and to say I was looking forward to it [ending] would be to suggest that I was looking forward to seeing the back of Mika! Not at all."

Coulthard is quick to point out that he does not envisage any problems in working with Raikkonen, who, after a string of impressive performances in his rookie year with the Sauber team, is expected to keep DC honest next year.

The 21-year-old's fellow Finn Hakkinen has acted as something of a father figure this year and Coulthard believes that relationship will help Raikkonen to integrate into the Woking-based team.

"Equally, understanding his decision, I believe that Mika can help accelerate the getting to know process of Kimi and I," continued Coulthard. "He'll be a different personality working in a different way. He will naturally have to adapt into the McLaren system rather than the McLaren system adapting to him. Then he just has to get in the car and do his job."

Raikkonen has finished in the points four times so far this season, including two fourth places, and despite being out-qualified by team mate Nick Heidfeld eight times to seven, Coulthard believes he certainly has the talent to win races next year.

"I don't think it's that difficult [to win straight away]," he said. "I think you just drive the car, I really do. I won my 21st Grand Prix, and he (Raikkonen) can win the fourth GP of next year to equal what I did. What's the big deal if you are good enough to get the job done? Clearly he's good enough."

With Hakkinen taking a sabbatical next year, both he and McLaren say he plans to return to Formula 1. Should Raikkonen impress and Hakkinen decide to return, is Coulthard not worried that three drivers into two race seats won't go?

The Scot said: "To be absolutely clear I have no concerns over three into two. It's not an issue for me."

For full David Coulthard Q&A, click here.