Embarrassed Coulthard apologises to Wurz

MELBOURNE, Mar 18 (Reuters) An embarrassed David Coulthard apologised to Alex Wurz for causing the hair-raising accident that ended both drivers' races at the Australian Grand Prix today.

The veteran Scot tried to spear his Red Bull down a tight inside angle at turn three as he and the Williams driver battled for the minor placings on lap 49 of the season's opener at Albert Park.

The angle proved too acute as Coulthard's car was bounced into the air before it sheered across the top of Wurz's cockpit, missing the Austrian's helmet by a matter of inches and leaving scuffed paint marks on his steering wheel before coming to rest in the gravel trap.

A shaken Coulthard got out of his car to draw a veil on his race while Wurz was able to guide his stricken Williams to park out of harm's way round the following corner.

''I'm a bit embarrassed,'' said Coulthard, who is 36 at the end of the month and embarking on his 14th Grand Prix season.

''I was too optimistic and I am sorry to Alex and to my guys, but this is racing.

''Alex is a fair racer and a good man, and I was just sorry to screw up his race. I went for the pass but it was over optimistic on my part.'' Wurz admitted he had not been going well at the time, but was still stunned to see the side of Coulthard's chassis scrape along the top of his car.

''It wasn't scary but it wasn't the best moment,'' Wurz told Reuters.

''I took my hands out of the way, we have paint (from Coulthard's car) on the top of our chassis and on the steering wheel, so it was close.

''I didn't see David because he was too far away to consider such a move, but he has apologised to me so it's okay. It was his fault, it shows he's long enough in the business to apologise, not everyone would do that.

''Unfortunately that doesn't help Williams or me, but that's just how it goes sometimes. It looked pretty spectacular, but I'm fine. It's a shame my race ended the way it did.'' REUTERS SAM BST1352