Formula One news

Red Bull frustrated with fourth

David Coulthard may have finished fourth in today's Japanese Grand Prix, but Red Bull Racing was left feeling frustrated as team mate Mark Webber was on for a certain podium and second place until he got hit from behind by Sebastian Vettel during the final safety car period.

"That was very, very difficult. It's a crazy thing to be a racing driver - on the one hand you're scared, but on the other, you're having the time of your life because every moment you're right on the edge, even on the straights," said Coulthard. "I'm happy to score points, but obviously I'm sorry for the team to lose what looked like some great points with Mark. I'm glad the race is over, but it was a lot of fun out there." 

Webber commented, "That was a completely disastrous finish. We were in very, very good shape to challenge Lewis for first today. We were strong and I didn't make any mistakes despite the tricky conditions, cars were aquaplaning and the visibility was very poor. Fernando's crash caused the second safety car stint, which bunched everyone back up again. That wasn't great; I would have liked to have continued to the end of the race. Vettel was a bit wild behind me during the first safety car period and then did a very good job of hitting me very hard under the second safety car. I think today he will have learnt a very valuable lesson." 

Team boss Christian Horner added, "In Formula One you face many emotions and today Mark was driving a fantastic race. He had food poisoning this morning, which he was battling with and he even threw up in the car during the initial pace-car period. In true Aussie fashion, he kept pushing and today he was quick enough to win the race. Obviously, it was very disappointing that an incident happened behind the pace car but, on days like today, I guess anything can happen. David used his experience and was competitive throughout the race. It's a shame as fourth would normally be a great result for us, but in today's circumstances it's frustrating as to have both drivers in the points would have elevated us in the Constructors Championship."

more news

• 08 Oct.
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  • Ferrari boss eyes maximum points in Japan
  • Fuji Speedway snapshot
• 07 Oct.
  • Canada dropped from next year's F1 calendar
  • Ferrari bring back lollipop man
  • Heidfeld hopes to fight for title next season
  • Toyota targets podium finish at home Grand Prix
  • Trulli enjoys Japanese support
  • Nakajima feels weight of Japanese fans' expectation
  • Trulli hopes for more luck in Japan
  • Button prefers Suzuka to Fuji
  • Rosberg hoping for rain in Japan
• 06 Oct.
  • Sutil hopes to repeat least year's result
  • Howett confident Toyota can finish fourth
  • Alonso expects to be competitive in Japan
  • Korea enjoys F1 demonstration
  • BMW Sauber to continue with Kubica and Heidfeld
  • Van der Drift wins Honda F1 test
• 05 Oct.
  • Ecclestone: Vettel will win the championship one day
• 04 Oct.
  • Massa still confident for championship title
• 03 Oct.
  • Palmer unveils Formula Two plans
  • Heidfeld hopes for better weather in Japan
  • Raikkonen: this is not my year
• 02 Oct.
  • New role for Briatore at Renault
  • Williams retains Rosberg and Nakajima for 2009
• 01 Oct.
  • Malaysia says no to night race
  • Glock has achieved his first season goal
  • Senna confident of 2009 F1 seat
  • Ferrari keeps both test drivers for 2009
  • Slow penalty decision cost Hamilton win - Whitmarsh
  • Montezemolo not a fan of Singapore style tracks
• 30 Sep.
  • McLaren planning upgrade for final race
  • Moscow to start construction work this week
  • Ferrari aims for one-twos in final three races
• 29 Sep.
  • Coulthard not thinking about retirement yet
  • Ferrari to investigate pitstop incident
  • Hamilton: We need to stay focussed
  • Ecclestone delays Indian Grand Prix debut
  • Briatore: Victory won't keep Alonso
  • Raikkonen concedes title hopes

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