E eu assino embaixo

DC: Ferrari's Failings Are Great For F1
The fact that Michael Schumacher and Ferrari have proven fallible is good for Formula One according to David Coulthard.

The Scotsman won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, to head a podium that for the first time in 54 races did not have a single Ferrari driver on it. Second place in Melbourne went to Juan Pablo Montoya, while Kimi Raikkonen was third.

Schumacher could only manage fourth after the Scuderia chose the wrong tyres and the wrong strategy. The German also damaged his F2002 when he mounted the kerbs, and effectively put an end to his reign at the top of the Drivers' Championship.

"If it was a combination of strategy mistakes and Michael making a mistake, then that is encouraging for Formula One," Coulthard said.

"They have looked pretty bullet-proof in the past with regard to strategy and Michael, when he's not being pushed, hasn't made any mistakes. I have always maintained that Michael under pressure will make mistakes and maybe today he showed that."

"The strategy thing is encouraging. I think they will be rattled. They have such a solid performance of podium results - that is the first podium they haven't been on for four years."

Coulthard was also impressed by the way in which his team-mate, Raikkonen, was able to keep Schumacher from passing him despite pressure being applied by the five times World Champion. Asked in the press conference if he enjoyed closing Schumi out, Raikkonen grinned, "Yeah, that was nice."

"We saw from Kimi last year that he is more than capable of racing wheel-to-wheel," Coulthard said. "He had some great battles with Montoya last year. I wouldn't expect him to give an inch on the track unless he absolutely had to."

"And that is great because when you are racing against someone like Michael you know they are not going to give you an inch. It puts the pressure on. He has got a sizeable car advantage... and he shouldn't really be getting caught up in the struggle."