Coulthard driven to prove age is no brake on success

He Arrived in the King's Road, a man in black, looking leaner and talking meaner than ever. If his mission is to save the galaxy of Formula One, it is not a moment too soon.

Anybody who thought David Coulthard was in danger of ambling into the comfort zone should think again. He is about to embark on his 10th season of Grand Prix racing and, following the retirement of Eddie Irvine, become the United Kingdom's oldest driver.

However, a month short of his 32nd birthday, he maintains seniority is an advantage rather than a handicap. He even hints he may go on until he is 40. In the meantime, he has business to attend to.

Driving racing cars is what he does and still having a championship to win provides him with all the added incentive he requires. Ferrari and Michael Schumacher remain the standard bearers and targets, and Coulthard is sufficiently encouraged by the performance of his McLaren Mercedes in winter testing to believe the team can outperform Williams BMW, exert genuine pressure on the champions and perhaps expose a potential weakness in Schumacher's resistance.

"I don't feel that I am on the descent yet in my career and I don't see where the age thing is relevant," Coulthard said. "Nigel Mansell won the world championship at 39 and went on into his 40s because he believed in his ability. Damon Hill became champion at 36.

"There will be three younger British guys in Formula One this year but I would suggest that I have no less speed, desire, fitness or application and that I do have the experience that can count in my favour. I know how to eliminate the mistakes. I can't think of anything I would prefer to be doing. I'm here because I love racing and I feel I can go on until I am 39 or 40.''

Schumacher has expressed similar sentiments, but unlike Coulthard, the German has won five championships and is favourite to claim a record sixth this season.

"I would like to have won more races and championships, of course, but I can relate to Michael in that he, too, still has that desire," Coulthard said. "I think if I can be a close second to him early in the season that we can be satisfied with our progress. But I also believe there is a certain amount of insecurity about Michael. He doesn't go on about being the best. It may be something to do with his background. I do think that if you can put pressure on him that he will make mistakes and we have to try to do that."

Coulthard is still digesting the latest in a series of changes to the format and regulations introduced by Max Mosley, the president of the FIA. Cars will have to start grands prix with the fuel they had in the tank at the end of qualifying, which will become a one-run shoot-out.

Coulthard welcomes Mosley's initiatives yet refutes the allegation that teams have dragged their heels because they are concerned only with themselves, ignoring the welfare of a sport in need of a makeover.

"Max's attempts to cut costs have got to be good for Formula One and certainly he's trying to make things different and more interesting," he said. "If it stimulates the public's interest then it is a good thing. This is a new era of Formula One. It means different strategies, although I don't believe it will greatly influence the results.

"It is a slap in the face to suggest teams don't care and are not passionate about the sport. Team principals like Ron Dennis, Frank Williams and Eddie Jordan have busted themselves for years to go racing. I disagree teams think only about themselves, even if self-preservation inevitably influences thinking.''

McLaren, like Ferrari, begin the world championship, in Australia, three weeks tomorrow, with a modified version of their "old''. They plan to introduce their new model at least four races into the season.

Coulthard said: "Simulations suggest the new car will be a big improvement and although Ferrari appear confident they have also made a significant step forward, I do believe we will be closer to them. I certainly feel we will have the beating of Williams."

With that the man in black was gone, about his mission.