But the Scot now merely wants to concentrate on the battle for the world championship.

The 30-year-old was initially blamed, but Dennis soon had to make an embarrassing climbdown after computer read-outs proved that the guilty party was the new launch control system.

Coulthard refused to confirm today that Dennis had apologised to him after the two had an exchange of words in the paddock.

"There is really no reason for us to kiss and make-up," said Coulthard.

"The whole issue was sorted out within 10 minutes of the race being over when we had all the information."

Coulthard recovered from the stall which forced him to start from the back of the grid to finish fifth after a blistering charge through the field.

But despite maintaining his record of finishing in the points in every race so far this season, the Monaco-based driver lost his joint lead in the championship.

Ferrari rival Michael Schumacher's lucky win after Mika Hakkinen's McLaren conked out half-a-lap from the finish took him eight points clear with 12 races left.

But Coulthard is confident he can maintain his championship charge in Sunday's race on the A1-Ring having finished second every time since the grand prix returned to the calendar in 1997.

"That's pretty consistent going," added Coulthard, who has seen team-mate Hakkinen win on two of those four occasions.

"I will be looking for another podium finish this weekend, although the goal is to win the race.

"The aim now is just to concentrate on F1 and getting the maximum out of every race."

Coulthard is confident the problem with the launch control system in Spain which was used as part of the return of traction control will not be a factor again.

"It was a simple thing for the team to sort out," he said. "It was something which we had not programmed for and it will not happen again."