Motor Racing: Coulthard set for title drive

DAVID COULTHARD has been on the fringe of the main event for longer than he would have cared, and even of late his cause has been overshadowed by the fall-out from Michael Schumacher's Silverstone accident.

That incident elevated Eddie Irvine to the role of No 1 at Ferrari and to the same position in the consciousness of a British audience seeking another Formula One world champion contender. The Ulsterman goes into Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix here, trailing Mika Hakkinen by only eight points. Irvine being Irvine, he has had much to say about his revised function in the Italian organisation, ensuring that the spotlight has been trained on him constantly.

However, he was beaten into second place at the British Grand Prix by Coulthard and the Scotsman arrived here yesterday with renewed purpose, even if he was ill prepared for the downpour. The shorts, he explained, were appropriate when he left a sunny Nice.

He may be a further 10 points adrift of his McLaren-Mercedes team-mate in the championship standings, but he, like the Finn, has the best car in the field and could have turned the psychological corner. That, at least, is how he would like to see it and he embarks on the second half of the season convinced his challenge for the title is genuine.

"I believe I can win the championship," he said. "I didn't think I was out of it even before Silverstone because this is such a low scoring season. But certainly, after winning the British, it has given me a big lift and made the situation even more open.

"I've got to continue in this vein. I've caught the wave and now I have to see if I can carry on with it through the season. The momentum is so important. It makes you happier and when you are happy everything is easy. Winning at Silverstone was the fulfilment of an ambition but I can't afford to dwell on that."

Misfortune has been a persistent companion for Coulthard this season but with the other main contenders failing to pull away he has been able to maintain hope. Now, he feels, he has the catalyst for his campaign.

"I've had only three finishes but those have given me a first and two second places so if I continue in that vein I'll be right in there fighting for the championship," he said. "I am 18 points behind Mika and that can be turned around in two races."

Hakkinen, for one, does not underestimate the threat of his partner. Schumacher may have been removed from the equation, but the Finn is adamant he feels no more secure in his defence of the title.

"What has happened to Michael makes no difference to my approach," Hakkinen said. "I have to stay just as focused. I can't afford to think it will be any easier. David's win will make him more confident and there is no doubt he can still win the championship. Because there is still a gap of 18 points he cannot afford any mistakes, but he is there. And there is half a season to go. From my point of view Eddie is a threat and you never know, there could be other threats. You just have to stay on your toes all the time."

Irvine, having assumed his elevated role at Ferrari, reinforced the belief that he will leave Maranello at the end of the season with comments that upset the Italian hierarchy. He claimed Schumacher was too demanding on the team and that it would be ludicrous if he were to win the championship and have No 1 on his car next year while retaining No 2 ranking behind the German at Ferrari.

Jean Todt, the team's sporting director, declined to be drawn into over criticism of Irvine, but was pointed in his response. The Frenchman said: "Eddie has done very well this season and in the second half of the championship he will have our maximum support. He has to show what he can do with that opportunity. Time will tell."

Mika Salo takes over from Schumacher here with the promise from Todt he has the job until the owner of car number three returns, perhaps at the end of August in Belgium, possibly not before late September at the Nurburgring. "Michael will be back when the doctors and he say he is ready," Todt said.

Damon Hill resumes work with Jordan-Mugen here after the weeks of uncertainty with a new nickname. The Italian sports daily, La Gazzetta dello Sport, has called him "the Hamlet of Formula One".