F1: Coulthard rubbishes Button bid

David Coulthard has rubbished Jenson Button’s chances of ending his reign as Britain’s number one grand prix driver - even if his own hopes of world glory look grim.

The 31-year-old Scot is confident he can see off the challenge of his younger English rival this season despite being out-paced by Button’s Renault for the first time in the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola.

Coulthard is now three points behind the blossoming 22-year-old in the championship table.

‘‘They beat us but they were not that close to us in qualifying and they have only done it in one race out of four. I don’t know if you can call that serious competition,’’ said the McLaren driver, whose team lead Renault by just one point.

‘‘I am not trying to belittle their performance because maybe during the course of the next 13 races they will be stronger than us. But one swallow does not make a summer.

‘‘But credit where it’s due. Jenson drove a good race, but I believe he had a quicker car otherwise I would be in the wrong business.’’

Button enhanced his growing reputation by taming Imola’s feared kerbs to finish fifth and score points for the third race in succession.

‘‘It was good to be beating the McLarens on pace,’’ said Button, who hailed the display as one of the best of his racing career.

‘‘It’s important for us to stay as close as possible to them and maybe fight it out later in the season.’’

Button knows he will not be challenging for the title this season even though he will head into the next race in Spain on Sunday week lying fourth in the drivers’ standings.

But surely neither will Coulthard now after his Mercedes-powered car was again comprehensively out-paced and then lapped by the Ferrari of world champion Michael Schumacher.

The points difference between the two is a massive 29 at the same stage last season they were level at the top of the standings but Schumacher then went on to win a fourth title by a record margin.

‘‘There is no reason to expect Ferrari will be any weaker than this at any particular race unless Bridgestone struggle with the tyres,’’ said Coulthard, who finished sixth.

‘‘It’s pretty grim news. But there is no point burying your head in the sand. We have got to face reality and keep working.

‘‘Things aren’t as bad as they look, but equally they are only as good as they look when you are the third team.

‘‘A number or emotions go through your mind when you are lapped, but reality sets in and you quickly analyse your situation.

‘‘I am comfortable with my performance except it was on the wrong end of the grid. I still believe we can win races this season as there is definitely more to come from the car if we can find the key to unlocking its potential.’’

But Schumacher is refusing to write off Coulthard’s McLaren just yet and start prematurely celebrating a record-equalling fifth drivers’ crown despite his processional victory from team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

The German now leads the championship by 14 points from his brother, Ralf, who trailed home third as his Williams-BMW team were well beaten, with Juan Pablo Montoya a distant fourth.

‘‘McLaren can still play a role in the championship remember I was lapped in 1996 in Brazil and shortly after that I won in Barcelona and then Monaco and Spa,’’ said Schumacher, who has won three of the opening four races.

‘‘In F1 everything is always good for surprises. McLaren is a team with high standards and if it can free itself of its problems don’t write them off.

‘‘The F-2002 car is the best Ferrari ever. But we still have to motivate ourselves for every race and give it 100%.

‘‘You never allow yourself that feeling of security. I don’t think we will dominate over a whole year. We will have enough problems that we will have to manage.’’

Button also had a message of hope to Schumacher’s rivals by insisting Ferrari would not enjoy the level of supremacy they had in Italy on other tracks this season.

‘‘They are always quick here but the Bridgestone tyres worked very well for them,’’ added Button, who performance was the one bright spot on a black day for his team’s tyres suppliers Michelin.

‘‘I don’t think there will be another race where they have such a lead. They are unbeatable from our point of view at the moment but I think Williams will give them a good run for their money.’’