Thursday June 15th, 2000

McLaren driver David Coulthard said on Thursday he would stay cool in his quest to land his first world title.

The Briton, who moved within 12 points of championship leader Michael Schumacher with a win in Monaco two weeks ago, said he was ready to do battle with the German in Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix.

"I have always maintained that the only way I can be in there battling for the championship is if the car is finishing races," Coulthard said.

"As long as the team gives me that opportunity and I don't make mistakes then that is where I will be.

"I have got some good results and have managed to get in front of Mika (Hakkinen) on points at this stage of the championship."

But the 29-year-old Scot insisted that the season was far from over and he would continue his preparations without getting distracted by talk of winning the title.

"I don't feel any different and there is still such a long way to go before the season ends," he said.

"There is no point in getting carried away at this stage and whatever people say will not change the way I set up or drive the car."

Coulthard is aiming for his sixth consecutive podium finish at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit and he said he was confident of stretching that run.

"I've only had one non-finish, in the first race in Australia, and the car is working well," he said.

"I have only finished here twice but I scored my first world championship points in Canada and I believe I can put in another good performance to keep my run going."