McLaren leaps to defend Coulthard

Irvine's opinion is based around the emergence of Kimi Raikkonen at McLaren and he says that Coulthard does not have the natural ability that sets championship-winning drivers apart.

Whitmarsh, however, countered: "Any racing driver's days are numbered because they have comparatively short careers. I believe David is stronger this year than he has ever been. He is stronger mentally and he doesn't like being beaten by Kimi in qualifying, and so he shouldn't, but he is strong enough now and confident enough in his own ability that if he can get the car right and race, then he can beat Kimi.

"I think his commitment, strength, personality and self-belief is even stronger. David is one of those rare drivers who year-on-year implements experience and becomes a better driver than the year before. Many drivers, Eddie probably among them, have been unable to achieve a year-on-year improvement."