F1: Coulthard can be world champ - Montoya

David Coulthard has been told by one of his title rivals that he can be a serious contender for the World Championship this year.

Colombia’s Jaun Pablo Montoya gave Coulthard the perfect boost just days before the new season starts by saying the Scot has the ability and experience to finally claim that elusive drivers’ crown.

But Montoya has warned the 30-year-old that he has to get the full backing of his McLaren-Mercedes team if he is to stand any chance of defeating Ferrari’s reigning champion Michael Schumacher.

‘‘Coulthard has got the experience of winning races and I think he is a pretty good driver,’’ said Montoya, who launches his own challenge in his Williams-BMW in Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

‘‘But he needs to get the team fully behind him. If he can do that, then Coulthard can do the job.

‘‘We have not tested with Ferrari so we don’t know how quick they will be, but we have tested with McLaren and it is going to be a very interesting fight with them.

‘‘It’s very hard to say who is quicker at the moment. We look to be very even and both cars are on the same tyre.’’

Coulthard will not be McLaren’s number one driver at least for the start of the 17-race campaign even though his new team-mate is the relatively inexperienced Kimi Raikkonen.

The Monaco-based racer will only be able to count on the young Finn’s support in the title battle if he has already knocked Raikkonen out of the championship equation.

Coulthard, who was runner-up in the championship last year but a record 58 points adrift as Schumacher took his fourth drivers’ crown, is confident his McLaren-Mercedes team have provided him with an improved car.

‘‘We have taken a significant step forward in terms of the car this year, and feel that we are geared up for the new season,’’ he said.

‘‘There is always excitement surrounding the first race of the season and the whole team is determined to compete hard for the drivers’ and constructors’ world championships.

‘‘The Australian Grand Prix is always a special race for me as it was where I secured my first victory with West McLaren Mercedes in 1997.’’

Coulthard could also have won in Albert Park the following year but handed victory to then team-mate Mika Hakkinen in controversial fashion to abide with a pre-race pact.

But if he can return to winning ways on Sunday and end three years of Ferrari domination it will show that this could be his year for title glory.