DC scores podium in Canadian GP Sunday 08th June 2008
David Coulthard said his third place in Montreal was a tribute to the efforts of his Red Bull team after his difficult start to 2008.
A series of incidents, poor qualifying positions and other misfortunes have combined to keep Coulthard out of the points in the first six races of the season.
But in Canada superb strategy and a fine drive on a heavy fuel load allowed the veteran Scot to advance from 13th on the grid to finish third.
"I'm delighted, because I would never have expected to get a podium here this weekend," said Coulthard.
"On one stop we were ultimately able to out-run the other cars that were on that strategy and I believe I led briefly, for one lap, before my stop.
"I've had a horrible start to the year, and all my guys on my car and the whole team and everyone back at the factory have had to do a lot of repairs because of all the various incidents, so I'm delighted for them.
"It's a real credit to Red Bull and the efforts they're putting in."
Coulthard said that staying out of trouble on the crumbling track surface had been a huge challenge, but apart from running wide near the end of the race, he remained error-free.
"You have to really concentrate even when you're just driving and trying to protect the brakes, because if you go even one inch off line then you're on that gravel, and it just sucks you in, so it was very difficult," he said.
"Once you're there, it's incredible, you just can't believe how difficult it is to get out of that situation."
He was also fortunate at the end of the race when his car suffered an apparent technical failure after he had crossed the line.
"Funnily enough, the car actually stopped in the pit lane," Coulthard said.
"I'm not sure what happened there, but I'm glad it chose to do that after the chequered flag and not on the last lap."
Coulthard admitted that joining Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld on the podium as BMW celebrated its first victory was a poignant experience.
"I think it's my 62nd podium and I'm as delighted to be there today as I was in '94 when I had my first podium," he said.
"I'm in a reflective mood on my career, because 15 seasons is a long time for anyone, and it's great to see the younger guys enjoying their first victories.
"I'm very happy for Robert and BMW, I think they're deserving winners of this grand prix."
He is confident that Red Bull will not be far behind BMW in claiming its maiden win.
"This is my fourth year at Red Bull, we started a journey four years ago to take the team forward, and like BMW we're on an upward trend," said Coulthard. "You can take a great deal of pride from that."
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