David Coulthard has brushed aside fears he might have to miss the penultimate race of his long formula one career.

The veteran Scot crashed heavily at the start of Sunday's Japanese grand prix when his Red Bull single seater sustained a suspension failure.

The 37-year-old was subsequently spotted taking off his racing boot and sock and inspecting a sore foot, mere days before the start of practice for the subsequent Chinese grand prix in Shanghai.

But Coulthard told reporters in Japan: "The impact was pretty hard, but I'm fine and I'll have no problem being ready for China."

Coulthard, whose fiancee Karen is pregnant with their first child, admits his decision to retire after next month's Brazilian grand prix flashed into his mind as he headed for the Fuji Speedway barrier.

"I thought to myself, 'Come on, don't hurt yourself now -- you've only a couple more races to do!'" Coulthard smiled.

Source: GMM