Frustrated Coulthard Endures Fires and Heat

David Coulthard endured a day of fires, heat and frustration at Sepang on Friday as his McLaren Mercedes-Benz teammate Kimi Raikkonen topped the times in free practice for Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix.

The Scot, aware of the expectation surrounding him this year as he leads the McLaren challenge to Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, found himself forced to push his car for virtually a kilometer in the torrid heat during the morning session after it suffered an exhaust problem and burst into flames.

"It is a good job I am fit," he said. "But I must admit I have not had much practice in pushing cars. Maybe I should do that more often if this is going to be the form for the season. I have had a disappointing day because I missed the whole of the first session.

"It was hot, and it was not something I wanted to do. I did not want to have to do that in the first session, but the only way I could make sure I could get a full second session was to bring it back - and you are not allowed to get a push from your mechanics."

Coulthard was forced to retire rapidly when he abandoned his car at turn 21 during the morning free session and then stand and watch as the marshals sprayed fire extinguisher all over the place.

"It was not ideal, but we got out," he joked. "I was in d owntown KL at the time, duty-free shopping! I don't know how far I was away from the fire! I thought I had been training quite hard in between these races, but it is a different thing when you are pushing a car at a high level over these distances.

"I knew I would make it I just didn't know if I would have any energy left afterwards. Pushing cars was not part of the plan in the pre-season build-up. I was knackered and that's the most polite way I can think of describing it."

Coulthard added that he was not going to be celebrating anything after McLaren had outpaced the Ferraris.

"I think we have to be careful with Fridays, and remember that Ferrari's performance was really impressive. I would not be surprised if they are setting the pace tomorrow. But as a day of preparation I am very disappointed because to go out and stop after one lap is clearly not good and I cannot go win those laps back.

"I feel, given what happened in Melbourne, that I need every lap I can get. It was an electronic problem which led to the engine stopping.

"The marshals job is to attend to the circuit. I knew it would take a while for the guys to change the engine ready and I desperately wanted to get back out at the beginning of the session.

"That was the only option to push because you are not allowed to get the mechanics to help you otherwise you get fined or something ridiculous."