10 Place Penalty for DC in Malaysia

By Ian Lockwood
March 13 2006

David Coulthard will start the Malysian Grand Prix with a 10 place penalty from the grid slot he achieves in qualifying. The Penalty has been imposed following the Scots Ferrari engine failure on the in lap of the Baharain Grand Prix.

With engines having to last two race distances, the penalty is imposed on any driver who needs to change an engine prematurely.

"It's hard on the small teams," Coulthard told PA. "The penalty, fair enough everyone understands why, but it's not the same for all. It is like Chelsea losing a man - being down to 10 men is not as tough for them as it would be for a smaller team.

"But you can't do anything. For race two, even if I stick it on pole I am 11th and the chances of being on pole are quite slim." 

A frustrated DC commented "I think we just accept the first two races are going to be pretty tough and then do a test after Malaysia in Valencia. Hopefully then I will be more comfortable. I honestly feel this is the first time I am getting to know this car."