Stewart thinks Coulthard too intense

Jackie Stewart thinks David Coulthard is maybe trying too hard in his attempts for the championship this year and the Scot needs to get over his frustration. Second in the driver's standings last year, Coulthard has struggled with a reluctant car this season and currently has only nine points in fourth place. Stewart believes the McLaren MP4-17 is not good enough to challenge for the championship but not having the best car should not deter Coulthard.

"I think David's got himself too wound up this season," Stewart said. "He's too tight, he's too intense. He has a giant amount of frustration. The car is not good enough to enable him to compete for the championship, but you don't have the best car all the time. It's in adversity that the cream has to rise to the top. Nobody could say he is not trying. He's trying hard. But that could be part of the problem. His teammate is going quickly and David may be overdriving. I'm still a big believer in David. He has the ability. But he's got to get his head together and get over that frustration."

Coulthard has had two podium finishes but this year's McLaren is undoubtedly off the pace. In the past the team have been competitors in the front runners, fighting with Ferrari for the championship but 2002 has seen Coulthard fighting off the challenges of Renault rather than keeping up with Ferrari and Williams. The Mercedes engine has been unreliable, both Coulthard and team mate Kimi Raikkonen suffering engine failures but the team are confident things will get better.