Horror smash scare for Coul

May 25 2008

DAVID COULTHARD last night admitted he was lucky to walk away unhurt after one of the most spectacular crashes of his career.

The Scot was careering down the fastest part of the Monaco Grand Prix's street circuit when he slammed into the right wall at 175mph.

His right rear wheel flew off and rolled down the track but the front tyre stayed attached despite at one point bouncing off the 37-year-old's helmet.

It was a frightening moment for the two-time Monaco winner whose Red Bull car came skidding to a halt in the run-off area.

Amazingly Coulthard was back in the garage 10 minutes discussing the incident with his team and nursing a sore head and elbow.

He will start 10th on the grid today if mechanics can repair the damage because there is no room at Monaco to bring along spare cars.

Coulthard said: "This was one of the biggest hits of my career. After the first impact I wished I was anywhere else than in a race car.

"I lost control when I hit the brakes. What's strange is I've braked there many times and never had that situation but I have to accept maybe today it was one step too far.

"The guys will look through the data, they'll look at the car and try to understand it but for now we have to assume I lost the rear.

"The big thing was missing the end of the barrier which I had no control over. You don't take a lot of speed off so I was lucky to go down the escape route.

"And it's a lot to ask the wheel to stay attached in those circumstances so I'm lucky. We should rejoice that F1 is as strong and safe as it is today."

While Coulthard seemed ready to accept the blame it looked like a blown tyre could have caused the smash.

If that's the case it will be a worry for Red Bull who received late clearance to compete in Malaysia earlier in the season after Coulthard crashed at high speed when a steering rod broke during practice.

Coulthard had set the sixth fastest lap time after two sessions of qualifying but starts 10th after missing out on the final session. Polewas claimed by Felipe Massa and the Brazilian is determined to follow in the footsteps of the late Ayrton Senna and fly his country's flag today.

Senna won six times over a track he adored but Massa has never taken to it.

However, in one fell swoop the Ferrari driver laid his bogey to rest and nicked first place from team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, leaving Brit Lewis Hamilton third.

With heavy rain forecast for the race Massa will start as massive favourite. He said: "I remember as if it were yesterday watching Ayrton on this track, and I believe he was the best driver here. He was always on pole, winning five times in a row.

"This is still not one of my favourite tracks but I'm starting to like it more day by day. I can't believe I'm on pole . . . it's unbelievable.

"Tomorrow will be tough but clearly it's better to start at the front."

HOW THEY LINE UP

1. Felipe Massa (Bra) Ferrari 1min 15.787secs.

2. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:15.815.

3. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren 1:15.839.

4. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren 1:16.165.

5. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:16.171.

6. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams 1:16.548.

7. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:16.852.

8. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:17.203.

9. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull 1:17.343.

10. David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull 1:15.839.

11. Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota 1:15.907.

12. Jenson Button (Gbr) Honda 1:16.101.

13. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:16.455.

14. Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams 1:16.479.