Coulthard on a charge
Friday, 30 March 2001 18:59David Coulthard took the fight to world champion Michael Schumacher as he scorched to the fastest time in opening practice for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix today. Coulthard, who was fourth quickest in the first session, powered to the top of the time-sheets early in the second session and stayed there.
The McLaren driver, who turned 30 last Tuesday, finished the day just over one second ahead of Jordan's Jarno Trulli with championship pacesetter Schumacher in third spot. But the Scot is unlikely to be raising his expectation ahead of the 71-lap race at Interlagos with Schumacher expected to reassert his supremacy for Ferrari tomorrow when times are more meaningful.
Coulthard is equal second in the championship but trails Schumacher by 10 points and is looking to stay in touch this weekend hoping for a more competitive car once they get back to Europe. Colombia's Juan Pablo Montoya was fourth fastest for Williams with two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen back in fifth spot in the other McLaren.
Sao Paulo-born Rubens Barrichello dropped to seventh, behind Ralf Schumacher in the other Williams, after his Ferrari stopped with a technical problem in the second session. Eddie Irvine was 10th for Jaguar Racing but Jenson Button's return to the scene where he became the youngest driver in history to score a championship point is not turning into a happy one.
The 21-year-old, sixth for Williams in only his second race last year, wound-up bottom of the time-sheets in his lacklustre Benetton today. He was over 4.3 seconds off Coulthard's pace. (PA)
Filed by Seán Folan
