JUNE 27, 2001
Coulthard positive for Magny Cours
MCLAREN driver David Coulthard has quashed reports that his team will once again struggle to match Ferrari at this weekend's French Grand Prix.
Coulthard is aware that his team have no time to rest after last weekend's defeat to Ferrari in the European Grand Prix before they make the trip to Magny Cours.
That has led to calls that McLaren will, as at the Nurburgring, fail to match the race-day pace of Ferrari and will drop further back in the battle for the championship. Coulthard disagrees.
"The performance here (Nurburgring) doesn't mean that we're all at sea going to Magny Cours because it's a different track, different tire, which can change the situation significantly," said Coulthard.
"Michelin at the test were very strong so we can expect them to be very fast on that track, and Ferrari have still got a slight edge on us. We'll do what we can."
Coulthard realistically needs a win and a non-finish from Ferrari's Michael Schumacher in the next few races to boost his title hopes. Coulthard is currently 24 points behind Schumacher in the title race.