German GP: McLaren race notes

Team McLaren Mercedes driver David Coulthard finished second in today's Mobil 1 German Grand Prix at the Hockenheim circuit. Kimi Raikkonen was involved in an accident at the first corner after making a fast get away from the starting grid. Kimi was unhurt in the incident apart from a bruise on his left leg. He was taken to the circuit medical centre for a pre-cautionary x-ray as he complained of a stiff neck.

David had his pitstops on lap 18 (9.3 seconds) and 42 (9.6 seconds). Kimi drops to third in the Drivers' World Championship with 62 points whilst David remains seventh with 41. The Team McLaren Mercedes team is third in the Constructors' World Championship with 103 points.

David Coulthard:

"I'm very pleased with my result after a difficult weekend. I made a good start and got past a few cars. Unfortunately Kimi got caught in the first corner accident which certainly cost the team valuable points, but I'm happy he is OK. My car was well balanced for most of the race and I could conserve my tyres, so when Michael and Jarno got problems with their tyres I was able to attack. I attempted to make the same manoeuvre on Jarno as Michael had but ran a little too wide at the Hairpin. However I managed to get past at the Mercedes grandstand when he made a mistake. I want to build on today's result and look forward to the next race in three weeks time."

Kimi Raikkonen:

"I got off the line very well at the start and went straight down on the outside. I was past Barrichello when he hit my rear tyre. There was nowhere for me to go and I went into the tyrewall. I don't know who is to blame and it doesn't really matter, because there is nothing I can do about it, and at least I'm OK apart from feeling a bit sore. We lost a place in the Championship, but at the end of the day there are still four races to go and lots of points up for grabs."

Ron Dennis, Team principal:

"Another day of mixed fortunes for the team, but nevertheless an exciting race for Formula One. Kimi's retirement was a result of a chain reaction initiated by Rubens making a poor start, but that is motor racing. David drove an excellent race with the team contributing with a well-judged switch to a two stop strategy. This certainly influenced similar decisions to be taken by other teams which ultimately led them into serious tyre problems. Congratulations to our Partner Michelin who provided us with some brilliant tyres that had to cope with extremely high temperatures -- the like of which are rarely seen in Formula One."

Norbert Haug, Mercedes motorsport director:

"Kimi made a rocket start, but unfortunately he became a victim of cars touching each other on the run to the first corner. David drove an excellent race and the team performed a good strategy and showed what would have been possible for Kimi as well. Congratulations to BMW Williams and Juan Pablo Montoya."

David Coulthard: MP4-17D 07
Kimi Raikkonen: MP4-17D 09
T-car (David): MP4-17D 06

-mclaren-