JUNE 20, 2001

Coulthard looking for qualifying improvement

MCLAREN driver David Coulthard has admitted that Ferrari are currently better qualifiers than his team, but he is confident he can still beat his rivals.

Coulthard believes he and team-mate Mika Hakkinen are still struggling to beat the Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello in qualifying.

But the British driver is pleased with the McLaren team's race packages this season and even if he is behind Schumacher and Barrichello on the grid he is sure he can still win races.

"Ferrari have a qualifying advantage because they are using the tires better but we can win Grands Prix and challenge Michael (Schumacher) still," said Coulthard.

Schumacher has claimed six poles this season from the eight races so far and in the two races he was not in pole position Coulthard was on top spot.

Coulthard has, however, out-qualified Barrichello in five of the eight races this year.