Coulthard ends Schumacher's winning run

David Coulthard halted Michael Schumacher's winning streak and put McLaren back in business in Monaco on Sunday with the team's first victory of the Formula One season.

Ferrari's four times world champion Schumacher, making his 100th start for the Italian team in search of their 150th victory after four wins in succession, had to settle for second best.

"We're delighted," said Coulthard. "We've had a difficult start to the season. It was looking pretty difficult for us to win a grand prix and we were pinning our hopes on coming to Monaco."

But the German, engaged in a real battle after his 'team orders' win in Austria two weeks ago sparked a worldwide outcry, still stretched his lead in the championship to a hefty 33 points.

"They did a great job and they really deserved this win today," said Schumacher.

"I kept on pushing because in Monaco nothing is for certain and you have to go until the last lap, last corner. I was trying to get my opportunity but (Coulthard) drove a fine race and didn't give me any chance."

Ralf Schumacher was third for Williams after Colombian team mate Juan Pablo Montoya, who started on pole position, had a blown engine after 47 of the 78 laps.

Italian Jarno Trulli was lapped by Coulthard but finished fourth for Renault, ahead of Italian Giancarlo Fisichella for Jordan and Germany's Heinz-Harald Frentzen in an Arrows.

But officials said Trulli's position, and those below him, were likely to remain provisional until Tuesday pending the outcome of an investigation into a software problem on Trulli's car, which failed an inspection after the race.

Ralf joined Montoya in equal second place overall after seven rounds of the 17 race championship on 27 points, compared to Schumacher's massive haul of 60.

Coulthard is fourth on 20.

It was the first time that Ferrari's F2002 car, introduced after the start of the season, had been beaten and Coulthard put paid to Schumacher's hopes of a record-equalling sixth Monaco win in style.

GREAT SCOT

The Scot, who endured a nightmare race last year when he stalled on the grid having qualified in pole position, made a storming start from the front row to force his way past the Williams of Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya at the start.

"The traction control that caused me some problems last year worked fantastically this year and after that it was just a question of keeping off the barriers," Coulthard added.

He never looked back, winning by a second after coming under intense pressure from Schumacher for the final 20 laps after each had made their sole pit-stop.

It was Coulthard's first win since Austria more than a year ago, the 12th of his career and second in Monaco after he also won in what amounts to his home town in 2000.

The triumph was also McLaren's first since last September when Mika Hakkinen won the U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis.

Montoya and Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, who gifted Schumacher victory in Austria when he slowed metres from the finish, were the losers.

The Colombian paid for his slow start but was running second when his BMW engine blew out smoke. His retirement left Schumacher as the only driver this year to score in every race.

Barrichello was never in contention, starting fifth and falling back to seventh at the first corner.

He then ploughed into the back of Kimi Raikkonen's McLaren as they braked into the chicane on lap 40, losing his front wing.

The impact ended Raikkonen's race but Barrichello lost only one place after pitting for a new nose. He was then hit with a 10-second stop-go penalty and another drive-through punishment for speeding as he left.

Jordan's Japanese rookie Takuma Sato crashed once again after his huge impact in Austria, when Nick Heidfeld's Sauber slammed into him, but was again unscathed.

This time Sato was trying to allow team mate Fisichella past but lost control as he moved over to the dirty side of the track in the tunnel.

He skidded out sideways, with Fisichella weaving to avoid hitting him, and came to rest against the tyre wall.

Among the other runners, Brazilian Felipe Massa shunted compatriot Enrique Bernoldi off at Ste Devote on lap 28 and then crashed his Sauber there again on the 66th.