Coulthard likes Red Bull's chances

Eurosport - Mon, 12 Jan 13:42:00 2009

Red Bull Racing have 'a great opportunity' to shine in Formula One in 2009 due the raft of technical and aerodynamic changes sweeping the sport according to David Coulthard.

FORMULA 1 2008 Red Bull Coulthard - 0

The highly-experienced Scot - the fifth-most successful driver of all time in the sport in terms of points scored - hung up his helmet from active competition following the 2008 season-closing Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.

However, he is confident that in its fifth campaign in the highest echelon, Red Bull could finally break into the big time.

"We've spent a lot of extended time in the wind tunnel," the 37-year-old told Crash.net Radio, describing pre-season preparations as 'very good' and his record-breaking replacement Sebastian Vettel as a 'great driver, great talent and, at the beginning of his career, (one with) so much potential'.

"Our car will be out later than some of the other cars, but that was just down to the fact that we spent more time trying to develop the package. It's a later start to the season, so I don't think that will affect the team too badly, and there's a real sense that this could be a great opportunity with all these regulation changes.

"They effectively won a grand prix last year, because of course it was Red Bull Technology that designed the car that Toro Rosso won the Italian Grand Prix with. We just need to do it under the Red Bull Racing banner now."

One man who assuredly will be winning races in 2009 is the sport's recently-crowned, youngest-ever world champion Lewis Hamilton, but Coulthard pointed out that in an era of such great upheaval, nothing can be taken for granted.

"He's a great driver in a great team, so it's a good basis on which to go racing," the Twynholm-born ace contended, "but the formula has changed significantly, so we have to see who has made the best interpretation of the rules.

"I think it's quite difficult to predict with all the new regulations, so I'm excited to see just exactly how that plays out."

Coulthard was also forthright on the plight of the embattled Honda outfit, which faces having to close the doors of its Brackley operation should a deal not soon be struck with a buyer. Regardless of Honda's fate, though, the 13-time grand prix-winner is optimistic that his friend, erstwhile rival and fellow Brit Jenson Button will not be on the sidelines for long.

"I can't judge that," he responded when asked as to how strong he believed the squad's chances are of being on the starting grid Down Under come the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne at the end of March. "They know how serious the various potential buyers are for the team. I think that anyone who is looking at Formula One with a longer term view has a great opportunity to come in with a serious manufacturer team in terms of the facilities that they have.

"It all comes down to whether they manage to offload that to someone or not, and if Jenson's not on the grid I think he will be very, very quickly thereafter, because he's a great talent and he deserves to be in F1."

On the subject of his own absence from the grid, Coulthard insists he is currently unperturbed, with his new son Dayton proving to be more than enough to keep him occupied for the time being. As for any potential return to racing in other categories in the years ahead, he confessed that he has 'an open mind on what the future may hold, so let's see'.

"It was my first Christmas as a father," he explained, "and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I love it; it surpassed whatever my expectations were. It's really wonderful.

"The reality is that this would always be a quiet period for driving, so the point I'll probably notice I'm no longer a grand prix driver of course is when I get to Melbourne."

Crash.net / Eurosport

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  1. Also remember charles that the mobile chicane expression was first used to the best of my knowledge, to describe Ferraris in the late 80's & 90's.

    From Mike, on Tue 13 Jan 5:06PM

  2. Good point.Mike. But that was 7 & 4 years ago he was O.K when he had the best car. i.e. Mclaren but had difficulty in even finishing races over the past three years.
    How come it was akways D.C. who was getting rammed by other drivers.?? Because younger drivers were trying to overtake the old codger out for a bit of a spin.!!
    When you 've had the good times and you know the money is still rolling in it takes thre pressure off having to prove yourself. Maybe the team owner should have retired him much earlier and given an up and coming driver a go.

    From charles p, on Tue 13 Jan 9:20AM

  3. Charlie, Mobile Chicane? DC may not have won the WDC but he came second to Schumacher in 01 and 3rd on 4 other occasions. And if it hadn't been for Rons predilection for Finns he probably would have won it.

    From Mike, on Tue 13 Jan 1:57AM

  4. If the scottish mobile chicanes predictions are as good as his driving then Red Bull are doomed to remain towards the rear of the grid.All the indications are that it will still be a two team series with some also rans getting in the way from time to time.
    Minimal overtaking, back markers ramming each other, the safety car covering more laps than D.C. ever did and yet more conspiracy theries from ill informed nerds who never attended a real race but promote their red rage amd racist spleen against everything they really don't understand. BUT THAT DEAR FRIENDS IS THE WAY OF THE MODERN WORLD.

    From charles p, on Mon 12 Jan 10:46PM

  5. totallytv that's such a stupid remark. Anyone who has been in the 'business' as long as Coulthard has, has to be listened to with respect. Just because he isn't racing any more doesn't mean he ceases to exist in relation to F1.

    From m.e.jenner, on Mon 12 Jan 10:42PM

  6. Sorry Slim, it was this page in particular that made me crackup.
    The guys in the white coats are here now and they will give me little purple pills (like being at university again) and I will be OK.

    From BigBill, on Mon 12 Jan 4:50PM

  7. Bill Mac : Your reaction is just what they are looking for . You can beg all you want but the only way to slow the process is to reject any idea of attacking . Stay focused on the story and those who wish to remain credible. End of story .

    From slimj, on Mon 12 Jan 4:47PM

  8. I agree. Why are some of you even here?? I for one like the new car. Maybe it will even the playing field and let other teams compete for the top spot?? Alonso going to Ferrari, had to see that coming. Bourdais coming back to my side of the ocean. I would have liked to see him continue in F1 but it doesn't look like that's gonna happen.

    From mejask, on Mon 12 Jan 2:51PM

  9. Look at this cr@p, how many posts? And how many have any relevance not just to the article above but to F1 in general? Come on those of you with child brains, grow up, start posting something relevant and stop being cry babies.

    From BigBill, on Mon 12 Jan 12:43PM

  10. Let's hope DC is right and RBR can finally live up to the hype they have created over the last few years.
    As an Adrian Newey fan, I for one will be very happy with RBR's progress towards the front of the grid. They should least be fighting BMW and Renault for fourth place honours with Williams fast on their tail too.

    From satchcarpenter, on Mon 12 Jan 11:42AM

  11. Shaun and Terry G - well pointed out. F1 is not only boring it seems that most of the spectators wouldnt have 2 brains cells to knock together.. Moron from Peru is the classic example...

    From Travis L, on Mon 12 Jan 10:15AM

  12. 13 COMMENTS SO FAR & NOT 1 RELATED TO THE ABOVE

    From U R SOLES, on Mon 12 Jan 9:40AM

  13. Its about time all this stupid unrelated mail postings stopped and marnio from peru should grow up he is the most obnoxice idoit on the netand should be shot on sight.
    going on and on just because the spoilt brats at ferrari lost the it was justice for all when this happened the little drawfs faverate team and the team he gives back handers too should be made to start at the back of the grid for the 2009 season then lets see what they can done with their back handed payments then

    From terry g, on Mon 12 Jan 7:54AM

  14. iF YOU WANT fERRARI TO WIN IN 2009, YOU BETTER PRAY FOR SUNSHINE AT ALL RACES, BECAUSE THEIR DRIVERS CAN'T DRIVE IN THE WET THEY ARE PATHETIC.

    From PETER, on Mon 12 Jan 2:22AM

  15. Hamiltons dads dads dads dads dads dads dads dogs dead.
    And ken dodds dads dogs dead,isnt ken dodd dead aswell....?

    From , on Sun 11 Jan 10:59PM

  16. All the inbreds are out today.
    Sons of brothers and sisters

    From f1junky1000, on Sun 11 Jan 9:57PM

  17. marnio is right,
    hamiltons dads dads dogs dead,
    marnio,keeep them coming,you make me laugh...

    From , on Sun 11 Jan 9:20PM

  18. marnio for president...
    marnio from peru,is getting a lot of pink peruviaN
    good sense of humour,peruvian.

    From , on Sun 11 Jan 9:18PM

  19. (sniff) Marnio didn't hire me....:(

    From ournige, on Sun 11 Jan 8:22PM

  20. @1 yawn another attention seeking little boy. isn't past your bedtime?

    From Steve, on Sun 11 Jan 8:07PM
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