Coulthard: "I was slow to react"

Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher won the race

David Coulthard has admitted he was "slow to react" at the start of the European Grand Prix which was eventually won by German Michael Schumacher.

Coulthard had started the race at the Nurburgring on pole but a slow start allowed his McLaren team-mate Mika Hakkinen to storm through into the lead from the second row of the grid.

Coulthard said: "I don't know what the problem with my car during the race was, but I was slow to react at the start.

At the start of the season I was dreaming of a start like this - we are in a good situation, we have a good car

Michael Schumacher

"I was struggling with the rear of the car especially when it got really wet.

"It was one of my more difficult races, so I am glad to get third.

"I drove the race as fast as I could given the balance. It was close with Rubens and there was nothing I could do, it was a case of whether he could see to overtake me."

Schumacher said after the 39th victory of his 133-race career: "Nobody knew when the rain came if it would stay.

I enjoyed the start, but it was not my best - I knew that was my only chance

Mika Hakkinen

"It was difficult on certain parts of the circuit, but not as bad as we have experienced such as at Silverstone.

"At the start of the season I was dreaming of a start to a season like this. We are in a good situation, we have a good car and we have some points in advance.

"Monaco has always been a good circuit for me so far so hopefully it will be this year as well."

Mika Hakkinen, who finished second, said: "I enjoyed the start, but it was not my best. I knew that was my only chance. I was happy with that after being disappointed in qualifying.

"I think I could have caught Michael if I didn't have so many backmarkers, but Michael might have been able to push."