Formula 1: I won’t give up on title - Coulthard

David Coulthard defiantly insisted that his dream of becoming world champion was still alive today despite rival Michael Schumacher’s crushing European Grand Prix victory.

The 30-year-old Scot slumped 24 points behind Schumacher after finishing well-adrift in third spot in yesterday’s race at the Nurburgring in Germany.

Coulthard has little time to find an answer to his McLaren-Mercedes’ lack of competitiveness with the next round in France, the 10th grand prix of the 17-race season, taking place in Magny-Cours on Sunday.

But Coulthard said: ‘‘This result does not mean the championship is over. There are lots of races to go so I am not downbeat.

‘‘I am not analysing this blow-by-blow as regards the championship. That wasn’t my attitude earlier in the season and I won’t change now. I am just taking it race by race.

‘‘We can’t test this week, but that won’t stop us from working and analysing this weekend’s result and trying to find a solution for Magny-Cours.’’

Coulthard was given a one-point boost that could yet prove crucial after Ralf Schumacher incurred a stop-go penalty for crossing the border at the exit of the pit-lane after his first stop for fresh fuel and tyres.

But Schumacher was livid about an incident at the start when he had to back off after nearly being forced into the wall by the Ferrari of his brother Michael as they battled to be first at the opening corner.

The Williams-BMW driver, 26 on Saturday, confronted Michael after eventually finishing the 67-lap race in fourth spot having discovered that the reigning champion will let nothing stand in his way not even his brother.

‘‘I do not want to say anything because I might regret it,’’ said the Williams-BMW driver, who believed he could still have claimed a second successive victory but for the enforced extra stop.

After witnessing the siblings’ confrontation, Coulthard, a victim of Schumacher’s aggressive style at race starts in the past, said: ‘‘It was nice to see Ralf having a chat with Michael after the race as he was clearly not happy.

‘‘We looked for clarification on this last year and the powers that be gave their clarification that you are allowed to make one move.

‘‘But I still maintain that if you do something that makes someone else take avoiding action or brake, then that can’t be right, but it doesn’t seem to matter what I think.’’

Schumacher senior was unrepentant, saying: ‘‘I had to make sure I would be first in the first corner, otherwise I would be in trouble.

‘‘I used the maximum that the rules allow you, to move over once, and tighten up the line. I think that’s the way you have to work unfortunately.’’

Schumacher could coast to his 49th career victory - leaving him just two off Alain Prost’s all-time record after his younger brother had fallen foul of the race stewards.

The 32-year-old was cheered over the line by around 130,000 of his countrymen as he triumphed by just over four seconds from Colombia’s Juan Pablo Montoya, who confirmed Williams’ growing threat.

Rubens Barrichello was fifth for Ferrari with Mika Hakkinen sixth in the McLaren, while Eddie Irvine was seventh for Jaguar and Jenson Button 13th for Benetton.