Unhappy Dennis Criticises Backmarkers

McLaren team principal Ron Dennis has criticised Formula One's backmarkers for hampering his drivers' progress in today's French Grand Prix.

Finn Kimi Raikkonen and Scot David Coulthard finished in fourth and fifth places respectively, losing out to Championship leader Michael Schumacher despite running in front of the German Ferrari driver for a big part of the race.

"Perhaps it's understandable that when the first five cars are quite strung out it's a little more difficult for the marshals to understand exactly which drivers are in what position," said Dennis.

"Even so it was extremely frustrating for both David and Kimi to lose so much time when overtaking backmarkers."

Schumacher, who finished in third place, is now eight points ahead of Raikkonen in the standings.

"In the circumstances the single point differential to Michael fell squarely into the category of damage limitation," added Dennis. "This year we have a fantastically competitive World Championship and I'm sure that all the contenders will fight to the end, we certainly will."

Coulthard took fifth place, battling Schumacher at the start but his race was considerably slowed by a troubled third pitstop while he was running third. The Scot pulled away before the fuel rig had been fully disconnected and the McLaren's rear wheel hit the hose man, who gamely waved him on while lying on the ground.

"It was great to be able to race wheel-to-wheel and then not have an incident," said the Scot, who crashed out of the last race to avoid running into the back of Fernando Alonso's Renault.