Coulthard shrugs off Schumacher comments

McLaren's David Coulthard expects to be a winner in 2002 and could not care less what world champion Michael Schumacher thinks about him.

"I have a healthy respect for Michael's abilities and think clearly that he's the benchmark in Formula One," the Scot told reporters before the launch on Saturday of the new Mercedes- powered MP4-17 car.

"But I don't care what his opinions on other teams' chances and other drivers' chances are.

"I would value his opinion on track safety or issues that we can have common ground on. But just him having an opinion.... opinions are like assholes, we've all got one."

"I don't know what the future holds but when I'm asked can I win the championship, I'd like to think so," he added.

"I would be very surprised at the least if I don't win grands prix this season," added Coulthard, who finished a distant runner-up to Ferrari's Schumacher last season after winning two of the 17 races.

Schumacher, who will be gunning for a record-equalling fifth world title when the season starts on March 3, said this week that he saw his main threat in 2002 coming from younger brother Ralf and Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya at Williams.

He also expressed doubt as to whether the 30-year-old Coulthard would get any faster this year.

"I don't know if he can or cannot. David remains David - he is a strong racing driver and he is going to be a challenge to me no doubt," the German said.

RAIKKONEN

Coulthard has a new team mate in Kimi Raikkonen. The young Finn joined from Sauber in place of compatriot and former champion Mika Hakkinen, who is taking a year's sabbatical that may turn into retirement.

The Scot believes there will be times this year when he will be beaten by Raikkonen, comparing the situation to his first full season at Williams in 1995 with former champion Damon Hill.

"Kimi's a quick driver no question, but when I was at Williams in '95 I had about five pole positions in a row," he said. "At the time I didn't really think anything about it because I was just doing my job."

"That must have been uncomfortable for Damon but the fact was that he still over the course of the season scored more points than me.

"It could be a similar deal this year, there will be times when Kimi's quicker and when I'm quicker."

But Coulthard is expecting team technical director Adrian Newey to devote more attention to him as the man with greater experience and the only driver able to make comparisons between the new car and last year's.

"Kimi doesn't have that benefit but equally he doesn't have that baggage," the Scot said. "He's coming in with an open mind and just jumping in the car and as a comparison to Sauber I presume it feels better."

Coulthard appeared relaxed and cheerful, discussing his winter holidays and joking about his various appearances on the front pages of tabloid newspapers last year.

Asked about his rivals at other teams, Coulthard described Montoya as a breath of fresh air after the Williams driver's impressive rookie season.

But he dismissed any suggestion of the no-nonsense Colombian being the new "hard man" of Formula One.

"He's so cuddly, so small and like a little teddy bear," Coulthard declared with a smile.

"But I don't remember racing with him once last year. I had to make do with that soft touch Michael.

"He (Montoya) is not worlds apart from his team mate. I think that Ralf is quick and was the backbone of the team last year. This year we will find out just how good (Montoya) is."