Coulthard title hopes stall

In Monaco, stalling on the formation lap was especially expensive, since it relegated him from pole to last for the start proper, spelling doom on the narrow, winding Monte Carlo circuit where over-taking is tough at the best of times.

The way the car performed in the race suggested Coulthard would have won but for that computer failure. Instead, Schumacher mounted the top step of the podium.

"We intend to use the system this weekend because in all the simulations we have conducted up to now, it showed itself to be so much quicker than the manual start,'' said Coulthard. "In all the tests the part of the system that failed in Monaco has worked perfectly. The difficulties in Monaco and Spain were different but we're almost certain to have resolved the problems.''

Even so, the system failed twice in 12 attempts when McLaren test driver Alexander Wurz put it through its paces in France last week. Coulthard is determinedly upbeat, and he remains the only driver to have scored points in all seven races so far.

But Schumacher has grounds for real optimism.

"I have always done well in Canada so let's hope I can keep that going,'' said the German. "I don't think there is a particular reason why I do well here. I don't even think the circuit especially suits my style of driving. But my 12-point advantage is not sufficient. We have a good car, we have a chance, but it will be a hard fight.''

The more so since Williams are expected to figure in the equation again, with the BMW engine relishing the fast, long straights at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

However, the powers-that-be at Williams are not over-thrilled by the results of drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher - three finishes from 14 starts between them.

Team owner Sir Frank Williams declared himself "unhappy'' after Montoya's foolish crash in Monaco, and now technical director Patrick Head has raised doubts about the drivers, who are both 25 years old. "In terms of speed they compare very well with our previous partnerships,'' assessed Head. "But I wouldn't say they rank with Nelson Piquet and Nigel Mansell, or Alan Jones and Carlos Reutemann in terms of wisdom.

"I wouldn't say it was a mature partnership. Ten years ago drivers were in their mid-30s, but now they're younger or so protected from the ways of the world that they don't become as wise so quickly.''

Popularity is hard won in Formula One. Even the hometown boy, BAR's Jacques Villeneuve, has managed to offend the natives with his choice of name for his new restaurant in Montreal. He has called it Newtown, which even a bear of very little brain could see is a play on words around the surname Villeneuve.

But the Quebecois are in a huff because the name is English rather than French - pettiness true to the traditions of Formula One.