Dennis voices support for Coulthard

Observers have suggested that Coulthard needed to score over Raikkonen early in the season while his experience with the team counts for more and before Raikkonen truly establishes himself.

In Barcelona, team boss Ron Dennis said: "If you are a competitive person that sort of thing brings out the best in you and it's a healthy, positive situation. Does David need our moral support and a bit of a hug? Not at all. He's a strong, disciplined professional racing driver. That side of David Coulthard is a thing of the past. He knows where he's going and what he has to do.

"I prefer to think that Kimi's performance substantiates the difficult decision we took. Driver selection is always difficult. Was it right? Yes. Is he getting better every race? Yes. Is he putting David under pressure? Yes. Is that a good or a bad thing? Most definitely a good thing. Is it influencing David? I sincerely hope so.

"David is obviously going to try harder if he feels that the performance is coming from Kimi, but that's what having a strong team mate is all about. I'm sure that Rubens Barrichello tries harder every time that Michael Schumacher is quicker than him."