25/09/2005
NEWS STORY
David Coulthard's race was over before it had even begun today, after a first-corner incident involving Antonio Pizzonia and Mark Webber forced him out on Lap one. Making an excellent start, David placed his wheels inside the two Williams' ahead of the first corner. Despite this, Antonio moved from right to left to gain a better position and it became a case of too many cars in too little space. With Webber on David's other side, there was nowhere for the Scot to go. The three cars touched, David lost his front right wheel and retired from the race. Starting from sixth on the grid, his team-mate Christian Klien pushed hard aboard his RB1. But, despite a determined effort, he was unable to maintain position and finished ninth, narrowly missing out on Championship points.
David Coulthard: I made a good start and got my front wheels inside the two Williams' of Webber and Pizzonia. As we approached the first corner, I was between the two cars and thought it was going to come down to what happened in the braking zone, but we never made it there. Antonio was moving over from right to left, to try to get the better position, but as Mark (Webber) was on the other side of me, there wasn't anywhere for me to move to. All the cars touched, Antonio spun in front of my car and, I think, also hit Mark. I lost my front right wheel and that was pretty much it, I was out of the race. I'm surprised if Antonio didn't know I was there as I didn't make a dive under braking, but had gained position through acceleration from the start line. In that situation, everyone should maintain position. If the cars start to squeeze together, I can't make mine invisible! It's brings to an end what's been a pretty shit weekend.
Christian Klien: As we expected, we were not quick enough today in the long runs. I was struggling with rear traction, especially when the car was carrying a lot of fuel. It was easier to drive when there was less fuel, but we just didn't have the pace today. I had quite a good start and made up a place, but was pushed to the outside by Michael (Schumacher) in Turn two. I had to go quite hard on to the kerb and lost a couple of places.
Christian Horner, Sporting Director: Christian drove a faultless race this afternoon, made no mistakes and maintained a good pace, but, unfortunately, it wasn't enough to contain our rivals. Looking at the results, there are two McLarens, two Ferraris and two Renaults in the points; a Honda and Toyota ahead of us and a Honda and Toyota behind us. It's therefore frustrating that, after such a strong drive, Christian didn't get any points. Nonetheless, it was a very good effort he put in this afternoon. David's incident was an unfortunate way to finish what has been a frustrating weekend for him.
Chris Jilbert – Cosworth F1 Race Engineering: Congratulations to Christian for driving a great race, it's a shame he narrowly missed out on a Championship point, but great disappointment for David with his first lap retirement. Both Cosworth 12 Series engines ran without issue throughout the course of the weekend, and will now be checked and readied for use in Suzuka.