JULY 30, 2000

Rubens deserved his victory - Coulthard

McLaren's David Coulthard heaped praise on German Grand Prix winner Rubens Barrichello - and insisted that he deserved every minute of his success.

Coulthard and Brazilian Barrichello have raced together throughout their careers and the Scot claimed the Ferrari driver's maiden Formula One victory was long overdue.

"We have come a long way together in our careers," said Coulthard, who finished third at Hockenheim behind Barrichello and team-mate Mika Hakkinen.

"We came up through karting and Vauxhall-Lotus together. Rubens is a great driver and this win is long overdue. He deserved it and I want to congratulate him on it."