F1: Coulthard to 'get no favours'

David Coulthard has been told not to expect any favours from his team-mate as he bids to wrestle the World Championship crown from the grasp of Michael Schumacher.

The 30-year-old will help unwrap the car he hopes will match Schumacher’s Ferrari when McLaren-Mercedes unveil their 2002 challenger at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya today.

Coulthard will be joined by new team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, the 22-year-old Finnish charger who has replaced countryman Mika Hakkinen while he takes his Formula One sabbatical that could become a full retirement.

Monaco-based Coulthard enjoyed a record-breaking six season partnership with Hakkinen, loyally playing the support role in the Finn’s two world championship winning seasons in 1998 and 1999.

The duo worked closely together when required to develop the car and Coulthard is expecting a similar relationship with Raikkonen who had a memorable maiden season with Sauber scoring nine points.

‘‘I believe that Kimi has the maturity to know that we have to work together to help us move forward but I wouldn’t expect more of him than I would give in return,’’ said Coulthard.