Trulli should have backed off, says Head

The Williams-BMW technical director says that Jordan's Italian ace should have lifted off as he approached the first corner of the British Grand Prix side-by-side with McLaren's title-chasing Scot. After they collided, Trulli ended his race in the gravel and Coulthard spun out three laps later due to suspension damage.

"For Trulli to interfere with one of the championship contenders is unacceptable," said Head. "And it certainly has made things very difficult for David."

Trulli's team boss Eddie Jordan, however, has said his man did nothing wrong. He believes Coulthard should have backed off with his championship position in mind.

"Someone of his [Coulthard's] calibre knows that in order to win the championship he has to accumulate points," said Jordan. "So, having made a poor start, he should have realised that a charger from behind would be going for glory at the first corner. I don't see how Jarno can be blamed for going for it as he had nothing to lose. By not giving Jarno any space David ruined his chances of fighting with Michael for the title.

"It is an enormous pity as I would like very much to see David win the championship. But I am frustrated by what happened as, more than anything, we need as many points as we can and it was equally important for us and David to score points," he added.

Coulthard's team boss, McLaren's Ron Dennis, took an opposing view: "David was ahead, and so naturally from a team perspective we felt that Jarno should have given him the corner. But I'm sure that's not a view shared by Trulli. On the other hand of course the race is not ever won on the first corner, but it is often lost, and that was one of those moments."

For full Patrick Head Q&A click here.