Sunday June 18th, 2000

David Coulthard insisted on Sunday that stalling his McLaren at the start of the formation lap cost him victory in the Canadian Grand Prix.

The Briton, who had his engine restarted by team personnel seconds before the start of the parade lap, was given a 10- second stop-go penalty for a breach of regulations.

McLaren personnel were deemed to have not left the track within 15 seconds of the parade lap starting.

The incident meant the Scot had to make a compulsory visit to the pits despite occupying second place behind eventual race winner Michael Schumacher. Both were moving clear of their rivals.

Coulthard, who had to settle for seventh, said: "It was a shame because I was definitely quicker than Schumacher and who knows what would have happened.

"I stalled the engine just before the formation lap and the team started the car at the last moment.

"According to the rules that is a stop-and-go penalty and I have no problem with that."

Schumacher's victory put him 22 points ahead of Coulthard who admitted it was a major blow to his title chances.

"Championship-wise I'm not where I wanted to be after winning in Monaco and it is disappointing after all the hard work we've put in.

"It's just a case of getting back down to business and trying to close the gap again. We must get on with it."