Coulthard Confident.

David Coulthard is convinced his British Grand Prix win will help him mount a championship challenge this year, and backed up his hunch by setting the pace in Austria this afternoon.


Despite being dumped back to third overall by late laps from team-mate Mika Hakkinen and Damon Hill, the Scot believes that his long run of misfortune was ended by victory at Silverstone two weeks ago. With Michael Schumacher also out of the running following his British GP accident, Coulthard is confident that he can give Hakkinen a run for his money as the season winds down.


"If you get some momentum going, it just becomes easier," Coulthard said, "When you get the car talking to you, everything starts coming together. Silverstone was a leg up in terms of points, and I just need to keep doing what I am doing. If I finish every race in first or second, I will be challenging for the title come the end of the year.


"Admittedly, I am a couple of wins behind Mika, so I need him not finishing - and I am relying on Eddie Irvine not scoring points too, so it's going to be difficult, but my focus and determination are still the same.


"We are having more reliable tests and more laps in testing, and that is where good race results come from. I am happy with the progress we made today, especially where we picked up grip throughout both sessions, and I am looking forward to tomorrow and Sunday."