Coulthard's four-star aim

Coulthard (c) with Barrichello (l) and Schumacher

David Coulthard has targeted victory in the final four races of the season as he looks to make up for his world championship misery.

The 30-year-old Scot is already planning for next season and is desperate to show he is the man to beat newly-crowned champion Michael Schumacher.

Coulthard also has second place in the championship to tie-up with Rubens Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher looking to overtake him in this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.

I have to keep working for next season when I hope to be even stronger

David Coulthard

"I haven't said I don't care about finishing second in the championship," said Coulthard, who is just five points ahead of Ferrari's Barrichello, with Williams-BMW driver Ralf Schumacher just two points further adrift.

"But my motivation is not to finish second in the championship. My motivation is to win.

"I am looking at the remaining four races and I will be trying to get 10 points from each individual race."

Finishing runner-up to Schumacher would be a career high for Coulthard who has come third in the standings four times since making his debut seven years ago.

"I feel I have improved as a driver this year, which is something I have to keep working on for next season when I hope to be even stronger," added Coulthard whose challenge this year was hit by technical problems at McLaren.

Rubens Barrichello has David Coulthard in his sights

The Monaco-based racer - along with team-mate Mika Hakkinen - has yet to be formally re-signed by the Surrey outfit but that is expected in the next few weeks.

While Coulthard seems ambivalent about finishing second in the championship, Barrichello is determined to capture the runners-up spot.

The Brazilian has been freed from the shackles of aiding Michael Schumacher and has been promised help in return by the four-times champion.

"For me the season has just started," said Barrichello.

Schumacher, despite his pledge, needs to win three of the remaining races to break the record of nine victories in a season he currently shares with Britain's 1992 champion Nigel Mansell.

The Italian Grand Prix at Monza follows Spa, before the Formula One roadshow moves on to America and finally Japan.