Mika would have let me win, says DC

After a disastrous first half to the season, Hakkinen went on to easily win his first GP of 2001, while Coulthard's DNF left him 37 points behind Silverstone runner-up Michael Schumacher with just six races and a maximum 60 points up for grabs.

But Coulthard believes that had he been able to complete the distance, the Finn would have relinquished his own victory chances to help him to a crucial win.

"Ferrari were on the wrong strategy so I felt there would be a one-two finish for us," he said. "Had we been able to run one-two, I knew what the outcome would have been. I would have won. Mika would have pulled over, no doubt.

"It would have been a great scene with him paying me back in front of my home crowd. He would still have got the credit, but my title hopes would have been boosted. Unfortunately, all that has gone out of the window.

"It is about time Michael Schumacher had some bad luck," he added. "I didn't want to be seen dragging my feet when I walked back from my car, although naturally I was a bit down. I felt for the crowd, because it would have been great for them to have a British winner after the past few weeks."

Schumacher is now unable to win the title at the next race, his home event at Hockenheim on July 29. But a good result for the Ferrari ace in front of his German fans would set up the chance of taking his fourth crown at the Hungarian GP on August 19. Nevertheless, Coulthard remained positive that the battle was not over yet.

"I am disappointed for my own aspirations," he said. "Clearly there is a danger of the championship running away, but Mika proved that Ferrari can be beaten and I know I can race against Michael when everything is equal. I just need my chance to show that.

"Although Michael has edged further ahead, I absolutely refuse to accept defeat until he has got it in the bag. Anything can happen," he added.

Prior to Hockenheim, McLaren and Ferrari go head-to-head again in F1 testing at Monza, Italy this week.