Podium will be a struggle, says DC

The Scot had hoped to be in contention to challenge for victory in the three remaining races of the season in Monza, Indianapolis and Suzuka, but so far the Woking-based team has been off the pace. Hakkinen and Coulthard were nearly a second behind pole-sitter Juan Pablo Montoya.

"It will be difficult to win this one from where I am on the grid," said Coulthard, who is hoping to retain his second place in the drivers' championship with Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello hot on his heels.

"Unless we have a start like the one in Spa where quite a few drivers kept dropping out, there is really no chance," he continued. "A podium would be a goal, but it will be a long shot.

"We are struggling here and are lacking pace. We are just not good enough. The basic balance is okay, but I am just not feeling the car to really attack in the way we want to be able to get the lap time."

Coulthard also watched on as Hakkinen's running was brought to an abrupt end with four minutes remaining of the hour-long session. The Finn, who on Friday announced that he is taking a year out from Formula 1 in 2002, collided heavily with the steel barrier on the Curva Del Serraglio at just under 100 mph.

Hakkinen emerged unscathed, but his car was a little worse for wear with two tyres punctured and the left-hand suspension destroyed.

"I haven't spoke to him about the accident, but I know he is okay," added Coulthard. "It looks like he just went wide in the corner which was very similar to what happened to me in Spa. Maybe we have to understand exactly the way the traction control is working because I don't understand why the car was coming back the way that it did. Luckily he was going at a relatively low speed and he is okay."