dc

Some drivers are likeable, some are fairly indifferent and others are just.... like Coulthard really.

Over the years we have tried so hard to like the guy - honestly we have. I mean who can forget the first race in 1998 when he let Mika past at the last corner. Even we had to feel a little sorry for him. Admittedly it was kind of his fault for making a stupid agreement in the first place but still you had to feel a bit sorry for the guy.

Also Belgium 1998 when he was grabbed by the throat by a certain Ferrari driver who (none to politely) accused him of trying to kill them. For an incident that probably wasn't entirely his fault.

There are also the occasional flashes of greatness. Usually they happen about once a season, Magny-Cours 2000, Brazil 2001, but they are very few and very far between.

Aside from this though there is very little else nice to say about this man. Everytime he has a good race rather than smiling, being happy and quietly moving on to the next one he has to give a huge speel about how he is now, "a serious championship contender," Which we find a little difficult really.

In every one of the seasons he's contested, with the exception of two, he has done worse than his teammate, and by a considerable margin.
The years he has beaten his teammate (1997 and 2001) it hasn't exactly been a masterclass. Nine points separated him and Mika Hakkinen in 1997 - but then look what happened in 1998. And although he comfortably beat Mika in 2001, he scored the same number of wins (2). Although he did come second in the championship, don't forget the fact that second was a massive 58 points behind Michael Schumacher.

Doubtlessly come March we will be hearing the usual Coulthard warcry about how this year will be his year. But frankly we've heard it all before. Last year was his best shot. This year he's got formidable opposition, from Ferrari and Williams and also from Kimi, who won't want to play second fiddle.

And it's hard to see him coming second either. Expect a token win around say Barcelona but not a lot more. Will be lucky to finish 5th.