Herbert says this year could be DC's last chance

Former Grand Prix driver Johnny Herbert has given a boost to David Coulthard in the run up to this weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix, by saying the McLaren driver is good enough to win this year's world championship - but has warned that it could be his last chance

Coulthard has been overshadowed by his team mate Mika Hakkinen and world champion Michael Schumacher for the last three years and, despite being in the best car on the grid, the 29-year-old has been unable to challenge for the championship.

During winter testing however, praise for Coulthard has been in strong supply, not least from team boss Ron Dennis who said he had "no doubt that David is capable of winning the championship." Herbert has echoed Dennis' sentiments, but believes it could be a case of now or never for the Scotsman.

"David has the pace and the ability to win the championship," Herbert told British newspaper the Sunday Mirror, "and there's no doubt that in the McLaren he has the car to do it. But now it's time for him to go out and do it, because there's no guarantee that McLaren will be up there at the top after this year."

Herbert, who retired from Grand Prix racing at the end of last year, has just been signed as a development driver for the Arrows team. The Brit spent 12 years in F1 and won three races and says the reason DC has yet to taste world title success is down to a lack of consistency.

"David has been lucky to have probably the best car for the last three years," he said, "but so far he hasn't had the consistency to make the most of it. He's got to find that consistency this year, cut out the mistakes that have let him down in the past and really go for it, because he may never have a better opportunity."

Coulthard has been at the top of the time sheets for much of winter testing, but refuses to get bogged down in all the pre-season talk of goals and objectives. However, the nine-time GP winner heads into the 2001 season with the championship firmly set in his sights.

"I know people have heard me say before previous seasons that I've never been in better shape," said Coulthard, "that this is my year and so on. But the fact is that I'm improving all the time.

"This year I've trained more and I've worked more closely with the build of the car. That makes me more confident, but not over-confident. It's going to be tough, but I have belief in my ability and the championship is definitely my objective."