Coulthard's exit combined with Michael Schumacher's second place leaves the McLaren driver 18 points behind the German in the driver's standings, but Coulthard remained diplomatic.

"These things happen now and again," he said.

"I have no doubt that I can still win the world championship and will continue to work towards it. If you don't like a challenge you shouldn't be in Formula One."

And he added: "Michael has got a big lead but 18 points could be wiped out in two races and that's what I will be working towards."

Coulthard was forced out by engine problems but said he was off the pace due to his front suspension being detached.

"When I went to the grid a nut from the front suspension was in the cockpit," he said.

"I threw it over the pit wall before the start of the race. So the whole car was twisted.

"The team gave me the option to stop but I thought as I was in a points position I should keep going. But there was no way I could drive quickly because the front left wheel was not attached to the car properly."

His team-mate Mika Hakkinen at least gave McLaren something to celebrate by finishing third, but having joined the Schumacher brothers on the podium he joked: "Lucky there's not three (of them)."

Naturally the German brothers were delighted with their efforts and Michael was happy to be upstaged by Ralf for once.

"I took six important points, he got the second win of his career. So a happy family day I would say," commented Michael.

And Ralf said that the rivalry between the brothers remained friendly.

"I think we've shown in the past that whenever we've come together it's been very hard fighting in between us but fair," he said.

"You saw today I didn't try any stupid moves but I did try to overtake him as I would anyone else."

With the system causing Barrichello's engine to misfire the decision was taken to switch it off, but that was to prove costly when the Brazilian followed Juan Pablo Montoya out of the race.

"When I came up behind Montoya I was not able to pass him because I no longer had traction control and the car had too much oversteer," said Barrichello.

"Then he went sideways and off the track and came back across it. I tried to avoid him but there was no room to get by and so I ended up in the wall."