I Could Have Won, Claims Coulthard

Briton David Coulthard rued a missed opportunity today, saying he could have won the Malaysian Grand Prix had his McLaren been more reliable.

The Scot, who took a career 13th win in Australia earlier this month, was Championship leader before the race but saw teammate Kimi Raikkonen celebrate the first win of his career and forge into the overall lead instead. Raikkonen now has 16 points to Coulthard's 10.

"Obviously I'm disappointed because once again reliability, which has been frustrating over the years, got the better of us," said Coulthard, who retired on lap three with an electrical problem while looking strong in second place.

"The hard work had been done at turn one, I'd already got in amongst (Jarno) Trulli and Michael (Schumacher) before they came together," he told Reuters. "Opportunity missed in that respect."

Coulthard has been here before, leading the Championship in 1997 after a win in Australia and then failing to score a point in the next five races. He led jointly with Michael Schumacher after Imola in 2001 but then finished fifth in the following Spanish Grand Prix won by the German.

Genuinely Pleased

"Our reliability just isn't there. Any way you look at it, Ferrari are the benchmark and that's what we need to aspire to. What more can I do?" he asked.

Coulthard gave a revealing insight into how much the situation troubled him when he said he laid awake on the eve of the race reflecting on critical comments made by some who questioned his performance relative to Raikkonen.

"I was lying in bed and I was thinking 'you know, it's not since Italy (in September) that he's outqualified me.' The last couple of races last year and the first two of this year I've been in front of him," he said.

"You've got every reason to expect I would have won that race today as well."

Coulthard said he was genuinely pleased for his teammate but failed to understand those who questioned his own performances.

"I am getting the job done... if I don't get a reliable car, I can't do any more than what I've done."

Team boss Ron Dennis offered the Scot his apologies.