Coulthard against secret deals in F1 circuit

Scottish star fears agreements could harm Grand Prix

Bratislava (pte038/12.02.2003/14:38) Scottish F1 ace David Coulthard fears behind the scenes deals between teams on the Formula One circuit http://www.formula1.com/ could destroy attempts to make Grand Prix more interesting.

The 31-year-old McLaren driver said that under new rules on qualifying and car set-ups this season every Grand Prix would see some of the best drivers on the circuit forced to fight their way into leading positions from the back of the grid.

But while that would be exciting, the star said, it could become artificial if drivers from one F1 outfit help those of another.

He told Slovak daily 'Pravda' http://www.pravda.sk: "It's going to be more interesting. At every Grand Prix there'll be a couple of good drivers who will start from the back. If they want to get higher up they'll have to do a lot of overtaking, which is what the fans like.

"But I hope that no groups behind the scenes get in the way of that contest. Ferrari supply motors to the Sauber team. It could happen that a Sauber driver would have to free up the track for a Ferrari driver, which would destroy the entire attempt to make Grand Prix more dramatic.

"I don't want to tempt the devil but these things can happen."

Under new rules introduced for this season by the sport's governing body, the FIA, drivers will be able to drive only one lap after coming out of the pits to set their fastest time during qualifying.

In previous seasons drivers were allowed to race twelve laps in a qualifying session, and as many as they wanted after coming out of the pits, and take their best time from those laps.

The FIA has also ruled that any driver who changes his set up between qualifying and the actual race will have to start from the back of the grid.

Coulthard said: "Qualification will be a challenge for every driver."

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