Coulthard set for credible challenge to Schumacher

The passing years do not necessarily make life any easier for a grand prix racing driver, as David Coulthard and Jenson Button may soon find. This year could be the most demanding yet for the two Britons.

Coulthard, almost 32 and his nation's senior driver, embarks on his 10th Formula One season this Sunday, still chasing the elusive world title and still to convince some that he has the stuff of champions.

He concedes that his car, the McLaren-Mercedes, could continue to trail the Ferrari, at least in the early part of the season, but his more pressing concern might be to protect his credibility in the face of uncompromising competition from his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.

Button, too, confronts a daunting trial by team-mate at British American Racing. At 23 he may remain Britain's youngest Formula One driver, younger even than the two newcomers, Justin Wilson and Ralph Firman, but this will be his fourth season in the World Championship and he has to arrest a slide from "golden boy'' status while partnering a driver who is openly hostile.

Jacques Villeneuve has made it clear that he is unimpressed with what he has seen so far of Button, who was released by Williams-BMW after his maiden season and then dropped by Renault following two seasons with them.

Coulthard would have been forgiven for breathing a sigh of relief when Mika Hakkinen left his side. The Finn had twice won the championship and the Scot could never quite sustain the form to challenge the perception that he was the No 2 at McLaren.

Hakkinen was replaced last year by Raikkonen who appeared to be just as quick as his compatriot and made up for a lack of experience with unflinching commitment. Raikkonen generally had the better of Coulthard in qualifying, although the older man was comfortably ahead in the championship standings, achieving one of only two victories that eluded Ferrari.

Raikkonen, 23, will doubtless and reasonably, feel he can improve his overall gain in this, his third season of Formula One competition. Coulthard, having employed a new trainer to enhance his already renowned fitness, believes he has the wherewithall to confirm his position as McLaren's main man.

Coulthard said: "Kimi is not a motivational factor for me. If I didn't want the pressures and didn't have the drive to take on the challenge then why would I do it? I don't need this to have a happy life.

"Kimi has got the speed but as yet he doesn't have the experience. What you don't know you don't worry about, so on some occasions he may go quick, but he could also pop it in the wall. Kimi will gain the experience but time will tell if he can motivate himself to do what Michael [Schumacher] has done at Ferrari.''

Coulthard, the runner-up to Schumacher in 2001 and wealthy enough to live in comfort for the rest of his life, is adamant that he still relishes the prospect of taking on, and beating, the best. He craves the championship, but not by default. If he were to wrench it from Schumacher's care, it would be all the more precious to him.

"My objective is what it has always been, to win races and the championship,'' Coulthard said. "There's always competition in Formula One. I'd rather stand second to someone on the podium and know I have to work harder than stand top of the podium because other people have dropped out and I've got lucky. I'm not interested in being gifted victories.

"My motivation comes from desire and belief. I've been on this journey for 20 years and I didn't start because of money. It was nothing to do with the financial rewards. In fact I put myself heavily in debt to go racing in the first place. I started because I got a buzz out of racing and wanted to be the guy at the top of the podium.

"As a driver you want the opportunity to race against the best in the world and be up there with them. Michael has been the benchmark for some time and it's a great motivation to be there against a guy with so many records.''

Coulthard concedes he expects Schumacher to be at the top of the podium again at the end of Sunday's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne and gain the early advantage as he sets out in pursuit of a record sixth world championship. But Coulthard is convinced McLaren will overtake Williams-BMW to become Ferrari's closest rivals and, with the introduction of their new car, a few races into the season, give the Italian team a real contest.

"I certainly believe we are in a stronger position than we were last year,'' Coulthard said. "It looks as though we are now in front of Williams, although I think we'll still be behind Ferrari in the first race.

"We are optimistic that our new car will be a significant step forward and bridge the gap. That may not come in time for us to win the championship this season, but we're getting there and I have faith in this team to eventually get on top again.''

Coulthard has every intention of being around long enough to capitalise on the projected power shift. Button ought to have time on his side, but even Coulthard suspects this could be a "make or break'' season for his compatriot. At the very least, it will be a severe examination of his resolve as well as his ability.

If Button has any self-doubt, he camouflages it behind a phlegmatic temperament and will not permit Villeneuve, one of only two former world champions currently driving in Formula One, any psychological impetus as they go racing.

Button said: "Jacques doesn't get to me at all. He's just been saying I have to prove myself, but I don't think that's the case. When you get things like this from your team-mate it makes you more excited and more determined to try and beat him."

Button is consoled by what he has found at the British camp following his often uncomfortable relationship with the Renault team principal, Flavio Briatore. Button said pointedly: "Everyone in the team has been great. They all pull together. They are very much behind the drivers. They don't blame you for things, unlike some people."