Coulthard to quit F1

Eurosport - Fri, 04 Jul 09:25:00 2008

David Coulthard has announced his retirement from Formula One at the end of the season.

FORMULA 1 Coulthard - 0

"I would like to announce today my decision to retire from racing in Formula One at the end of this season," the 37-year-old Red Bull driver said in a statement issued before his home British Grand Prix.

"I will remain actively involved in the sport as a consultant to Red Bull Racing focusing on testing and development of the cars.

"I have an open mind as to whether or not I will compete again in the future, in some other form of motorsport, so I am definitely not hanging up my helmet," added the Scot, who is expected to be replaced by Germany's Sebastian Vettel.

Vettel, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Thursday, is currently racing for Red Bull's Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso sister team.

Coulthard said his decision to retire was taken earlier in the year and was based on "a desire to stop while I am still competitive and enjoying the immense challenge that Grand Prix driving represents".

The Scot has won 13 grands prix, two of the victories coming at Silverstone, in a Formula One career that started with Williams in 1994 after the death of Brazilian triple champion Ayrton Senna.

He has started 236 races to date, more than any other British driver.

Coulthard's greatest success came in his nine seasons with McLaren, with the highlight being in 2001 when he finished overall runner-up to Ferrari's Michael Schumacher.

In 1998 and 1999, when he had a race-winning car, he was eclipsed by Finnish team mate Mika Hakkinen.

Coulthard finished third in last month's Canadian Grand Prix, his first appearance on the podium since 2006, and he said he would "continue to race with the same focus until the last lap in Brazil".

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner paid tribute to his driver as "a consummate professional".

"He has demonstrated that he is a real team player, a fact reinforced by the statistic that he has only driven for two other F1 teams in his career," he added.

"He scored our first point, our first podium and was the first of our drivers to lead a grand prix. Above all, he is a gentleman and I regard him as a good friend.

"His retirement brings to a close not just his career as a grand prix racing driver but also a chapter in the history of Formula One, if one considers the changes the sport has been through while he has been involved with it."

Reuters

Comment 43 - 62 of 62

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  1. good luck david. u will be sadly missed, I have seen you many times at silverstone & it won't be the same without you. It was bad enough when murray walker left, now your going, whats the point in living? I hope you have as much success & enjoyment in whatever career you choose, has you have had in F1. Love from your No1 fan. PS, your autobiography is excellent. Tracy from bury, lancs.

    From hindle.andy, on Fri 4 Jul 7:42PM

  2. shut up fools anyone that thinks dc has done wonders for english racing is a fool we are all british however the english only seem happy to include us scots as part of the uk when on the rare occasion we excel in something the rest of the time britain mean endland in many of you southerners eyes was for taking out hand outs from westminster i think you find if you did cut us off with a chain saw you would be the one asking for cash given we hold 95% of the oil reserves in the north sea which is preciesly why westminster dont want scottish independance

    From albizar, on Fri 4 Jul 5:23PM

  3. i for one will miss you david, that only leaves us with one good british driver now in hamilton, pity about button being there just to fill up the grid lol

    From traceystone@ymail.com, on Fri 4 Jul 4:11PM

  4. Good Luck for the future, DAvid!!!

    From KIN, on Fri 4 Jul 3:47PM

  5. good luck David my late husband followed your career with every team you drove with
    I hpoe Red Bull will benefit from your vast experience.

    From pcocker2002, on Fri 4 Jul 3:37PM

  6. It makes me laugh how you scots are so nationalistic, and so very anti the english but wheres your pride when it comes to taking all the free handouts from westminster ( Like our money) you think thats different, well yes we are talking about a sportsman here, and yes we all live on a Island, but you are
    apparently your own self contained nation so act like one, as far as Im concerned Scotland should be cut off with a big chainsaw and towed out to sea, your racist to the rest of the Island ! By the way thank you BC for being a fantastic representative of the sport.

    From bobbrandedmychicken, on Fri 4 Jul 2:02PM

  7. So that would be the 'english racing' that holds the bottom part of the map of Great Britain, you know the bit below Newcastle, would it, they should re build Hadrians Wall to keep ignorant a**e holes like you out, of course DC could allways race for a Scottish team!.

    From mayqueen1910, on Fri 4 Jul 1:37PM

  8. About time!

    From liz e, on Fri 4 Jul 1:33PM

  9. I am devestated by this announcement! i knew it was coming but since he started his carrer i have supported him fully, screaming and shouting at the TV crying at his losses etc, etc. I don't care what anyone says, DC is a top guy and has a great career.
    DC will be sorely missed, especially by this devistated fan!!!

    From leigha_stockbridge, on Fri 4 Jul 12:36PM

  10. Good luck David for the future. I wil miss you. Dont' care what the idiots think, you are the greatest. xxxx Eunice

    From clarke_eunice, on Fri 4 Jul 11:30AM

  11. ARE YOU HAVING A F******G LAUGH CHRISTOPHER F HE MAY BE A BRITISH DRIVEER BUT HE HAS DONE NOTHING FOR ENGLISH RACING HE IS SCOTTISH JUST LIKE STWEART AND CLARK SO GET IT RIGHT DIM WIT AND DONT TRY AND STEAL GLORY FOR ENGLAND FROM OUR TOP SCOTS LIKE YOUR ALL TRYING TO DO FROM ANDY MURRY RIGHT NOW ENGLISH B*****D

    From albizar, on Fri 4 Jul 11:15AM

  12. ARE YOU HAVING A F******G LAUGH CHRISTOPHER F HE MAY BE A BRITISH DRIVEER BUT HE HAS DONE NOTHING FOR ENGLISH RACING HE IS SCOTTISH JUST LIKE STWEART AND CLARK SO GET IT RIGHT DIM WIT AND DONT TRY AND STEAL GLORY FOR ENGLAND FROM OUR TOP SCOTS LIKE YOUR ALL TRYING TO DO FROM ANDY MURRY RIGHT NOW ENGLISH B*****D

    From albizar, on Fri 4 Jul 11:13AM

  13. he won a few good races, his jaw was really dodgy but he did his best for english racing

    From Christopher F, on Fri 4 Jul 9:23AM

  14. I have read the phrase 'class act' repeatedly in these comments. While he may have conducted himself as a gentleman off the track, his juvenile stunt at Spa can never be forgiven. Debers7, try as you might to defend him, lifting in zero visibility while still holding the racing line is a deliberate act of sabotage. Watch a replay of the incident. Anyone can clearly see DC's car remains aligned with the well-tread proper line of the curve.

    If you need an example of the proper way to allow oneself to be lapped, review any F1 race from the last six years. Coulthard has gotten a lot practice at it.

    From dantes_bungalow, on Fri 4 Jul 8:57AM

  15. Stara 1870..!-You may,for some any other "reason or motive",be a fan or even an admirer
    of this "none missed", Raging Bully, of F1..,and I, would have no bones to pick with you..were it not,for your Posting the "Maximus Ignorandus".comment,on ALL TIME GREATS,of the Grand Prix World Tracks...!
    So, with a more Sober and and Respect..Let me remind you,of Past Greatest Ever Racing Drivers,in the "History" of F1...
    The earliest, and most Famous to date, was and still is,the late Argentinian,Jose Manuel "FANGIO"..!on whose Shoulders stand later Greats, such as Niki Lauda,Sterling Moss,Ayrton Sena, and until recently Schumaker...the others,are "minor" foot notes..!!

    From Dean_ManU, on Fri 4 Jul 8:22AM

  16. Good luck David in whatever you do, it will be a loss to F1 you have been a great driver. I had the privilege of meeting you some years ago in Brussels as a karting event and i would just like to say that you were a gentlemen then and you still are today. Don't disappear for good it would be nice to see you still around......

    From clareyhart, on Fri 4 Jul 7:46AM

  17. Well done David. I have enjoyed your racing and I have to say you have had your share of bad luck. You should have had at least 1 title.
    Good luck for the future and hope to meet you in person one day.

    Peter.P

    From peterprieur, on Fri 4 Jul 6:28AM

  18. HE WAS BETTER THEN SCHUMACHER AND IN HIS EARLIER YEARS THE BEST ON THE START IN THE HISTORY OF THE MOTORSPORTS

    From stara1870, on Fri 4 Jul 2:27AM

  19. Had his jaw been only more aerodynamic...

    From deviant_info, on Fri 4 Jul 1:13AM

  20. Seem to be a lot of Armchair World Champions (let's hope your driving skills are better than you command of the Queen's English, or we really will be in trouble) here dishing out lots of disrespect to a very talented man, bowing out of F1 after a long and distinguished career.

    Best of luck for the future DC!!

    From briandamaged, on Fri 4 Jul 1:10AM
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