According to David Coulthard, everyone at McLaren can breathe easy.
The Scot, running in the new MP4-19 at Valencia, reckons the racer is already quicker than last year's car and there's plenty of time to work on reliability.
DC set a new record at the twisty circuit last week, despite reports that he and teammate Kimi Raikkonen were having troubling settling into the tighter cockpit.
'You get aches and pains in different places,' said Coulthard. 'Sometimes a new car can be a pain - literally - as you get used to a new driving position.'
David said he was already flooring the 19's throttle on the very first out-lap.
'It just felt right,' he confirmed. 'But that does not necessarily mean we have a championship-winning car. There is still a long way to go.'
Even chassis-builders McLaren and engine-partner Mercedes-Benz are working better, said Coulthard, having visited both factories in the off-season.
'Greater importance has been given to bringing all the elements of the package together at the design stage,' he said.
Coulthard set aside his targets for the new season as winning grands prix and the world championship - 'I believe I have the opportunity,' he added.
Written: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 12:12:27
[ Print View ][ E-Mail Article ]
- March 21, 2008Practice 1: Massa dominates
- March 16, 2008Sunday quotes: Red Bull
- March 15, 2008Saturday quotes: Red Bull
- March 15, 2008Friday quotes: Red Bull
- March 15, 2008BMW go quickest in Practice 3
- March 13, 2008Coulthard slams tracks
- January 16, 2008Coulthard to debut RB4
- December 17, 2007Coulthard won't rule out NASCAR
- December 12, 2007Coulthard criticises tyre blanket ban
- December 05, 2007More slick times at Jerez
- (January 26, 2004)View all headlines from this date
