HHugo
17-06-2002, 17:12
David Coulthard has been advised to quit McLaren – and join F1 newcomers Toyota.
Former McLaren star John Watson believes Coulthard’s days at the team are numbered because Ron Dennis sees Kimi Raikkonen as the future of the team.
Watson reckons Coulthard should jump before he is pushed. And he believes Toyota would be the ideal destination as they have the resources to compete with the very best.
He told the Sunday Mirror: "I've been told DC won't be at McLaren next year and Toyota is a team going places. I think it would be the right move for him.
"Just as McLaren brought in Mika Hakkinen when they knew Ayrton Senna might be on his way out, so they have brought in Kimi this year to be tutored. David is there as cannon-fodder for Kimi. He's not the future for McLaren, Kimi is.
"David could get an excellent three-year contract with a team that has a real chance of becoming a major player in F1. I reckon Toyota will be the biggest threat to all the top teams in the next three years because they have the horsepower and the budget."
Watson added that Coulthard has never been truly accepted at McLaren.
He said: "David has always been like the adopted son, rather than the natural child at McLaren. He knows he is there to do a job and that's it. There's no human relationship with Ron.
"I respect the way Ron runs his team, but he is totally pragmatic. I sometimes think the team has a lemon in their mouths. They never smile.
"Ron is actually a very generous man, but he wants to be seen to be tough and in a business context he is. He learned his lesson on money with Senna. He realised he paid him far too much and should have spent that money on the development of the car."
A resurgent Coulthard has taken 16 points from the last two races.
Watson said: "In these last two races he has clearly shown that given the chance he can get the job done.
"I thought his win at Monaco was his best ever.
"But he's been at McLaren too long and I have to wonder what he's going to do for the rest of his career."
bronnen: www.itv-f1.com
www.dailyF1.com
www.f1-live.com
Former McLaren star John Watson believes Coulthard’s days at the team are numbered because Ron Dennis sees Kimi Raikkonen as the future of the team.
Watson reckons Coulthard should jump before he is pushed. And he believes Toyota would be the ideal destination as they have the resources to compete with the very best.
He told the Sunday Mirror: "I've been told DC won't be at McLaren next year and Toyota is a team going places. I think it would be the right move for him.
"Just as McLaren brought in Mika Hakkinen when they knew Ayrton Senna might be on his way out, so they have brought in Kimi this year to be tutored. David is there as cannon-fodder for Kimi. He's not the future for McLaren, Kimi is.
"David could get an excellent three-year contract with a team that has a real chance of becoming a major player in F1. I reckon Toyota will be the biggest threat to all the top teams in the next three years because they have the horsepower and the budget."
Watson added that Coulthard has never been truly accepted at McLaren.
He said: "David has always been like the adopted son, rather than the natural child at McLaren. He knows he is there to do a job and that's it. There's no human relationship with Ron.
"I respect the way Ron runs his team, but he is totally pragmatic. I sometimes think the team has a lemon in their mouths. They never smile.
"Ron is actually a very generous man, but he wants to be seen to be tough and in a business context he is. He learned his lesson on money with Senna. He realised he paid him far too much and should have spent that money on the development of the car."
A resurgent Coulthard has taken 16 points from the last two races.
Watson said: "In these last two races he has clearly shown that given the chance he can get the job done.
"I thought his win at Monaco was his best ever.
"But he's been at McLaren too long and I have to wonder what he's going to do for the rest of his career."
bronnen: www.itv-f1.com
www.dailyF1.com
www.f1-live.com