Coulthard missing qualifying excitement

David Coulthard was less than impressed by the Friday qualifying session, saying it was not very exciting. The McLaren driver set the fifth fastest time in the first qualifying run of the year -- with the new format drivers have only one flying lap -- and the Scot found the experience less than satisfying.

"I don't want to be negative just for the sake of it," said Coulthard. "I used to get a buzz out of a qualifying session -- I've just done my Friday qualifying and I feel a bit 'what was that?' If it was good television and other people are buzzing then I have to say that it was just a personal feeling today, maybe I got out of the wrong side of the bed. From a driver point of view it wasn't as exciting."

Current champion Michael Schumacher, who qualified provisional fourth, was also not terribly impressed. The first man out on track, Schumacher was bettered by Ferrari team mate Rubens Barrichello, who claimed provisional pole. "I found it a bit strange doing one lap and then having to wait so long to find out what position I had," said the German.

Second fastest Kimi Raikkonen had a bit of trouble: "During free practice this morning, I went wide at Whiteford corner and spun on the grass," said the McLaren driver. "I just managed to avoid the wall, but damaged the floor of the car, which then had to be changed."

"During qualifying, I also went a bit wide coming into the first corner but, apart from that, I'm happy. The new format hasn't really changed the way I approach qualifying, as previously we also had to focus on getting things right for one lap -- we just had more runs."