Michael Schumacher has thanked David Coulthard for finally taking the blame for their clash at the Belgian Grand Prix that wrecked his world championship hopes in 1998.

Coulthard admitted for the first time on Saturday that he was at fault when an unsighted Schumacher slammed into the back of his McLaren in heavy spray.

Schumacher accused Coulthard of trying to kill him and had to be physically restrained from storming into the Scot's garage.

The Ferrari driver, who was lapping his rival, missed out on a certain victory and ended up losing the championship by 14 points to Coulthard's team-mate Mika Hakkinen.

"I'm glad he finally shares the same opinion as me on this incident," said Schumacher, who had to wait another two years before finally ending Ferrari's quest to regain the driver crown.

"It happened a long time ago and there is nothing more to say about it. But it's nice to hear him admit it."

Coulthard said he had only realised he was at fault after reflecting on last weekend's European Grand Prix in Germany when he nearly rammed into the back of the Renault of Fernando Alonso.