Report: Coulthard scores Monaco win

The Scot grabbed the lead from pole-sitter Juan Pablo Montoya at the start and never looked back, his mistake-free run enough for him to take his second victory around the streets of the principality.

"I feel fantastic because it was looking difficult for us to win a grand prix this season," said Coulthard afterwards. "Our hopes were pinned on coming here and doing well, and it's all come together."

As always at Monaco, it was the start that was the crucial factor, with Coulthard making full use of his front-row position to leap ahead of Montoya's Williams into St.Devote. The McLaren driver then led an absorbing four-car battle for the lead comprising himself, Montoya, Schumacher and the second Williams of Ralf Schumacher through the first 45 laps until the pit-stop window.

For much of the time he only held a one-second advantage as championship leader Michael Schumacher pressurised Montoya hard, but after lap 35 Coulthard began to make a crucial break, pulling out a eight-second lead before the Ferrari dived for the pits. A string of fast laps by the older Schumacher then catapulted the German ahead of Montoya's Williams, but it was not quite enough for him to pass Coulthard when the Scot pitted.

So although Schumacher latched onto the back of Coulthard, he was unable to make any moves over the final 25 laps, settling for a second place that extended his lead in the world championship to 33 points.

"I kept pushing hard until the end because in Monte Carlo anything can happen," related the Ferrari driver. "I tried to get my opportunity, but David drove a fine race and I didn't have a passing chance."

Shortly after the pit-stop sequence Montoya has to cede third place to team-mate Ralf Schumacher as he felt his engine tighten, and moments later the powerplant expired leaving the Colombian to make a smokey exit.

Ralf flew the flag for Williams-BMW with third place, despite an unscheduled late pitstop because of a delaminated left-rear tyre that left him only just ahead of the Renault of Jarno Trulli.

The Italian's main concern was behind him, however, as he fended off the attentions of compatriot Giancarlo Fisichella over the closing stages as the Jordan team netted points for the second race in succession.

Sixth place and the final world championship point went the way of Heinz-Harald Frentzen's Arrows, as he too survived a late onslaught, this time from Rubens Barrichello's Ferrari.

The Brazilian had made a poor start from fifth on the grid, dropping to seventh behind Kimi Raikkonen's McLaren, and it all went wrong on lap 41 when the frustration boiled over and he made an ill-advised lunge down the inside of the Finn at the chicane. The Ferrari driver came off best, able to replace his nosecone and continue, but Raikkonen's rear was damaged sufficiently for him to have to call it a day.

It was a bad day for the rest of the Brits. Allan McNish, the star of the opening day of practice, was running a solid ninth early on in his Toyota before clipping the inside kerb too hard at St.Devote and sliding into the tyres. Renault's Jenson Button had his day ruined on the grid, when his car failed to get off the line properly and he dropped to last. He was making progress through the field until he tangled with Olivier Panis's BAR at St.Devote late on.

Several other spectacular incidents occurred during the entertaining race, with Takuma Sato enduring a large accident while going through the tunnel and Brazilian youngsters Felipe Massa and Enrique Bernoldi running into each other at St.Devote. Massa later went off on his own at the same corner, suffering a heavy impact as he went head on into the tyre-wall after locking up his wheels.

It was a day when Michael Schumacher and Ferrari's recent strangehold was broken, but their series lead is now healthier than ever. The biggest smiles were down in the McLaren camp, however, as Coulthard at last gave them something to cheer.
"I'm very pleased for all the team," summed up McLaren boss Ron Dennis. "It's still going to be a tough year, but it's great to come here and get a result."

For full race results, click here.

For championship standings, click here.

For Monaco GP images, click here.