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DC: Kimi's Hype Is Unfounded February 17 20:27
SCOTTISH ACE David Coulthard thinks the hype surrounding his McLaren teammate is unfounded.
'Clearly,' replies Coulthard to a question querying the unanimous excitement at young Finnish superstar Kimi Raikkonen.
Last year, the 22-year-old outpaced Coulthard 10 to seven in qualifying, but failed to convert a sure victory at Magny-Cours when he slid on a puddle of oil.
But David says the hype is unfounded 'because he hasn't won a grand prix yet.'
He adds that the young blonde from Espoo undoubtedly deserves his place on the grand prix grid - but 'that's only stage one.'
Coulthard continues: 'Now he's got to turn potential into reality. But we all know I am a grand prix winner.'
The eight-year veteran from Twynholm also comments on the sport's categorical master and reigning champion - Michael Schumacher.
Over the years, David and Michael have enjoyed their fair share of on and off-track spats - who could forget the famous 'bird' at the Adelaide hairpin in France, or the confrontation in Spa, 1998?
But Coulthard reserves a platter of respect for the great German.
'Considering the success and money he's earned, it'd be easy for him to disappear so far up his own arse,' says the Scot.
'But he hasn't done that; there's something down-to-earth there. He's obviously got some insecurities that keep him grounded.
'I do think that if you can put pressure on him that he will make mistakes and we have to try to do that.'