Coulthard powers home in first practice session

DAVID COULTHARD admits it will take a miracle for him to overcome five-time champion-elect Michael Schumacher and triumph in Sunday's French Grand Prix.

The 31-year-old Scot powered to the fastest time in first practice today but immediately dismissed any realistic hope of repeating his win at Magny-Cours in 2000.

‘‘If I pull off a victory like that then I am going to announce myself as the next Messiah,’’ quipped Coulthard after spearheading a McLaren-Mercedes one-two with Kimi Raikkonen.