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.

Coulthard famously gave Schumacher a one finger salute in the race two years ago after forcing his way past the German to score one of the best wins of his career, having been blocked by his rival earlier.

But despite setting the pace today with Schumacher back in third spot, Coulthard knows he faces an immense task stopping the Ferrari driver from claiming the win that could give him the record equalling fifth drivers’ crown.

‘‘I don’t think we are going to be in a position to make it difficult for him,’’ admitted Coulthard after finishing just 0.072 seconds ahead of Raikkonen.

‘‘Ferrari looked very strong in first practice.

‘‘Ferrari and Bridgestone tyres are a very strong package, and then you put that with Michael and Rubens Barrichello who are driving very well at the moment.

‘‘We hope we can unleash a little bit more pace this weekend but I think that is just going to give us some breathing space to those behind us rather than take us ahead of those in front.

‘‘I still think we are going to be behind the Ferraris and Williams in qualifying tomorrow. Bizarrely, Williams never look that strong in practice but get it right for qualifying.

‘‘But I feel good and am looking forward to the race. My victory here in 2000 gave me immense satisfaction so we will have to see what happens.’’

Schumacher was just over 0.2secs adrift of Coulthard but was poised to finally equal Juan Manuel Fangio’s record of five drivers’ crowns.

The 33-year-old German will reach the milestone if he wins on Sunday and neither Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello nor Colombia’s Juan Pablo Montoya finish second.

Barrichello posted the fourth best time today but Montoya was back in 10th spot as he struggled for grip on the blisteringly hot track in central France. Team-mate Ralf Schumacher was fifth.

Eddie Irvine clocked the sixth best time in the Jaguar R3 which made such a disappointing debut at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone last time out but boss Niki Lauda was not getting carried away.

‘‘It is too early to read anything into this,’’ said Lauda.

Jenson Button posted the ninth best time for Renault while Allan McNish was 11th, with both drivers competing amid speculation about their future.

Button is set to join either Sauber or Toyota with his place at Renault for 2003 going to current test driver Fernando Alonso.

If he moves to Toyota it will be as replacement for McNish with the Scottish rookie also under threat if Button goes to Sauber as that will probably see Germany’s Nick Heidfeld joining the Japanese car giant.