Schuey grateful for Coulthard admission

Michael Schumacher has thanked David Coulthard for finally taking the blame for their infamous clash at the Belgian Grand Prix that wrecked his world championship hopes in 1998.

Coulthard admitted for the first time yesterday that he was at fault in Belgium five years ago when an unsighted Schumacher slammed into the back of his McLaren in heavy spray.

Schumacher accused Coulthard of trying to kill him and had to be physically restrained from storming into the Scot’s garage.

The Ferrari driver, who was lapping his rival, missed out on a certain victory and ended up losing the championship by 14 points to Coulthard’s team-mate Mika Hakkinen.

“I’m glad he finally shares the same opinion as me on this incident,” said Schumacher, who had to wait another two years before finally ending Ferrari’s quest to regain the driver crown.

“It happened a long time ago and there is nothing more to say about it. But it’s nice to hear him admit it.”

Coulthard said he had only realised he was at fault after reflecting on last weekend’s European Grand Prix in Germany when he nearly rammed into the back of the Renault of Fernando Alonso, who was accused of brake testing him.

“I’m not going to be hard on Alonso, but on recollection in Spa 1998 when Michael ran into the back of me, his reaction was that I’d brake-tested him and tried to kill him,” said Coulthard.

“The stewards looked at the data and I hadn’t braked so it was brushed under the carpet.

“The reality is, I lifted to let him past me but I did it in heavy spray on the racing line.

“You should never do that. I would never do that now. In 1998 I didn’t have the experience and knowledge – and I’d never had anyone run into the back of me.

“All the other guys are doing the same thing but the risk is that it could have been a very big accident for Michael and Nurburgring could have been a very dangerous accident for me.”