Planet-F1

DC fined for missing the drivers' parade

Monday 28th April 2008

David Coulthard failed in his bid to avoid paying a 4,000 Euro fine for missing the Sunday drivers' parade in Spain.

The drivers' parade is mandatory for all 22 drivers compete in a grand prix weekend, which meant the second Coulthard failed to make the truck he was handed the fine.

The Red Bull driver, who has to pay the fine out of his own pocket, attempted in vain to have the penalty reduced when he spoke to the race stewards after Sunday's grand prix.

His bid, though, fell on deaf ears.

"When I was with the stewards I said thank you for hearing what I had to say about the race, but can we talk about another event," he told Autosport.

"I said: 'You've fined me 4,000 Euros, I've done 230-odd grands prix and never missed one except for Malaysia where I was ill and in the medical centre. So that's 4,000 Euros out of my children's inheritance!'

"There was no reaction from them. No smile or anything. So I then said to them: 'Okay, let's cut it to 2000 Euros if I pay in cash.' Still no reaction.

"So I then asked (FIA representative) Alan Donnelly if he could translate that, because that is somewhat funny in English. But he said it was only funny in Scottish..."

DC also laughingly revealed that the fine is going to hurt his fiancee Karen Minier just as much as it will him.

"I've told Karen no shopping and next week no food on the table," he joked. "We'll take the pain together!"