Monza crucial race for Coulthard

The Scot says he will start thinking about the title if he triumphs at
Monza for the second time in three years.

The McLaren ace is on a title charge after winning the last round in
Belgium and gathering 34 points in five races - more than either of his title rivals Mika Hakkinen and Eddie Irvine.

'If I was to win this weekend and take the gap to Mika down to 10 points or less - in other words one race victory - then I could realistically think about the championship - but not until then,' he said.

'I am 14 points behind Mika and that is still a long way.'

The Scot's late charge of the title has brought him a massive haul in the last five races compared to Hakkinen's 20 and Irvine's 33.

'The points add up and I can be champion this year but that doesn't change the way I go about doing my job to the best of my ability.

'I just hope I can achieve that in the next four races. It's going to be quite tight.'

Coulthard says relations with his team-mate are back to normal after they were soured by their first corner clash in Belgium as he muscled past into the lead.

'That's all done and dusted. We discussed it right after the race and cleared the air.

'But I am sure we will see a fired up Mika here trying to build up his lead in the championship.'