Coulthard: I'm a match for Lewis

David Coulthard feels he is doing every bit as good a job as Lewis Hamilton this season.

David Coulthard insists he is doing every bit as good a job as Formula One's current star Lewis Hamilton, but just feels he does not have the equipment to demonstrate it.

Hamilton has taken the sport by storm this year in his debut season, finishing on the podium in each of his seven starts to date and winning his last two outings in Canada and the United States respectively.

The 22-year-old currently sits atop the championship standings with a ten-point lead over team-mate and world champion Fernando Alonso.

However, Coulthard - a veteran of some 218 grand prixs with 13 wins to his credit - believes he is producing similarly heroic results with the Red Bull Racing team, but does not have a car competitive enough to reward his efforts.

So far this term he has managed just four points courtesy of a fifth-place finish in Spain, but maintains he is still driving as well as Hamilton.

"I wake up on a Sunday and I love the opportunity to go racing," said the 36-year-old. "I do this job because I love it - it's not about money - and I do a good job. I give value for money.

"Obviously, I want to compete and race because Formula One is the pinnacle of motorsport and I believe I can make a difference.

"It will end at some point, but in the meantime I am driving every bit as well as Lewis Hamilton - I just don't have the car to show it.

"I know I can do something remarkable, although it may not be obvious. I still get those remarkable results, it's just that they are not in the public eye.

"But I am getting more out of the equipment than it should deliver on certain occasions, like finishing third last year in Monaco.

"And beating your team-mate is part of it. Mark (Webber) is hailed as one of the quickest guys in qualifying, but up against him I do a very good job."