David Coulthard slammed Fernando Alonso for the incident that ended the Scot’s European Grand Prix, saying it showed the Renault driver’s inexperience.
David Coulthard slammed Fernando Alonso for the incident that ended the Scot’s European Grand Prix, saying it showed the Renault driver’s inexperience.
Coulthard had to go off the track to avoid running into the back of Alonso in their battle for fourth.
“A frustrating weekend for the whole team,” said Coulthard. “During the race I was benefiting from what was happening at the front and as a result was making good progress. In the latter part, I was fighting with Alonso for fourth and there were a couple of incidents, one in particular at turn eight when I ended up on the grass.
“He braked much earlier than he had on the previous laps and it was definitely questionable,” said Coulthard. “It was very difficult for me to do anything else and it was a problem. I’d like to have another look at it and it’ll be interesting to see exactly what the telemetry says. I was on a bit of a charge and I think I could have got past him. I think he’s an inexperienced driver and this sort of incident shows how much he has to learn.”
Alonso said it was not his fault. “The stewards wanted to know what happened,” said the Renault driver. “I told them I was having a few problems and slowed down a bit earlier on that lap. But there were no serious problems with the tyres or the car. David got a bit too close to me I think,” he said.
Coulthard’s team-mate Kimi Raikkonen had been hoping to celebrate his first pole position with a victory until white smoke began pouring out of his car at the start of lap 26.
“Obviously I’m extremely disappointed as we could have won today. I made a textbook start from pole position and was able to control the race and was pulling away until I had to retire with an engine failure. I had no indication that it was going to happen and the car was feeling great,” said the Finn.
“However that is motor racing and we have to focus on the French Grand Prix. The gap to Michael can easily be closed with a good result and that is what we want to achieve next weekend.”
Raikkonen remains second in the driver’s standings with 51 points, behind Michael Schumacher who has 58 points.
