| | SUZUKA, Japan -- David Coulthard demanded an apology from Michael Schumacher on Sunday for comments the Ferrari driver made about him after the final race of the
Formula One season.
Less than an hour after his McLaren teammate Mika Hakkinen had retained the Formula One world title in Japan, Coulthard angrily countered allegations by Schumacher that he deliberately obstructed him during the race.
"If he doesn't apologize there could be legal repercussions for him because he is questioning my integrity," said Coulthard. "He needs to realize that if he wants to discuss something he should discuss it with me and not the whole world. This could
have very serious repercussions for him."
|  | | While their teammates exchanged harsh words after the race, rivals Eddie Irvine, left, and Mika Hakkinen congratulated each other. |
Schumacher, who finished second ahead of his Ferrari teammate Eddie Irvine as the Italians clinched the constructors' crown, earlier accused Coulthard of costing him 10 seconds and a chance of challenging Hakkinen.
But Coulthard, who has clashed with the former champion before, and who had private discussions with him after the German rammed into the back of his McLaren in a wall of spray at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix, hit back.
"He only lost two seconds, not 10. There is one set of rules for Michael and there is one set for everyone else," Coulthard said. "I am very disappointed he is questioning my integrity over Spa. It is just ludicrous and shows that despite what we
discussed at the time that he holds grudges.
"He has a real problem admitting his mistakes. I am not denying I held him up but it was not a deliberate attempt to ruin his race."
Schumacher had told a news conference immediately after the race that he was angry with Coulthard and suggested that the 1998 incident at Spa might have been deliberate.
"If you have been lapped, you should give space," Schumacher said. "David had passed many blue flags and he had some kind of problem, but he was really zig-zagging.
"Actually, I am not sure now whether I should believe that what happened at Spa last year wasn't done purposely, the way he behaved today."
Coulthard said he was not going to be held responsible for the fact Schumacher finished second.
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“ |
He has a real
problem admitting his mistakes. I am not denying I held him up but it was not a
deliberate attempt to ruin his race. ” |
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— David Coulthard |
"Anyway, I would say that deep down that he is quite happy with the result because he didn't want Eddie (Irvine) to win the championship despite the very public image of being out there to do all he could after Malaysia," Coulthard shot back. "He will be happy because he wants to be the Ferrari champion."
"When he came to pass me the second time, I pulled to the left and waved him through but at the same time he showed me the fist."
While members of both the McLaren and Ferrari teams did their best to calm the situation. Coulthard also deplored the controversial finish to the season.
Referring to the double disqualification in Malaysia of the two Ferraris, which was overturned on appeal last week, and the simmering acrimony between the main contenders for the championships, he said:
"I am sorry and disappointed how the last two races have been decided and the tactics employed. Ultimately, Mika had beaten Eddie anyway today."
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