Coulthard: Drivers must stand up in Schu drama

David Coulthard has urged his fellow Formula One stars to stand up and be counted at today’s Grand Prix Drivers’ Association meeting.

On the agenda will undoubtedly be Michael Schumacher’s questionable manoeuvre when he parked his Ferrari on the Monte Carlo track in the dying moments of qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix two weeks ago.

In denying a number of drivers a chance of a quicker time – notably championship rival Fernando Alonso the opportunity of snatching his then pole position – Schumacher insisted he made a driver error.

Few believed him, in particular the race stewards who demoted the seven-times world champion to the back of the grid, with many quick to condemn and criticise in the aftermath.

The drivers today meet for the first time since that incident, and Coulthard feels those who pointed an accusing finger then should not now hide away when confronted directly by the German.

“All those quick to give their opinion to the masses, who then don’t look Michael in the eye and give their opinion, that’s not the mark of a man,” added Red Bull Racing driver Coulthard, who along with Schumacher and Mark Webber are directors of the GPDA.

“We will find out today who is prepared to do that when we all sit round the table.”

Jacques Villeneuve and Webber are likely to be two such men ready to voice their opinion, in particular with the former believing Schumacher’s position is untenable.

“I’m not happy that someone can run the GPDA and act like that,” said the 35-year-old Canadian.

“Everybody makes mistakes at critical moments, but then you have to be big enough to say ’oops, sorry guys, that was really stupid of me and embarrassing’ and life carries on.

“If you try to make people believe that you didn’t do it on purpose then you just look like an idiot.”

Webber confirmed: “I want to have a chat with Michael. I’ve not seen him since Monaco, but it’s always good to have a face-to-face chat.”

The main man affected - Alonso - is to remain silent on the issue, mainly because he is one of the sport’s quieter figures, but also because he was eventually handed pole and went on to win the race.

“I forgot about the incident immediately after the FIA decision to relegate him to last place,” stated the Renault driver, who leads the current drivers’ standings by 21 points from Schumacher.

“That was their decision and from that moment I tried to win the race – which I did. So I will say nothing. I do not stay at these meetings anyway and I probably will not stay today. I don’t care.”

Alonso at least feels that as a role model Schumacher has a responsibility to the sport.

“We all try to win, to beat the opponents and everyone has different ways of doing it. I try to play fair always, as I did last year,” added Alonso.

“In Michael’s case and with his popularity, everything you do is bigger than anyone else in F1. When you do well or when you do bad, you are in the press for a long time. Everyone talks about your movements.

“When Michael did this, he did not think about the damage he can do for the sport.”

Resiliently, 37-year-old Schumacher added: “What happened has happened, whether you agree or do not agree.

“I feel sorry that it had to happen but certain things simply do happen. We don’t change anything if we keep talking about it.

“I said on Sunday that whoever believed I did it on purpose to hinder somebody’s lap times, I am sorry for that. I can do no more than apologise. If someone wants me to go down on my knees and beg, that would be rather ridiculous.”