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F1 retiree Coulthard linked with DTM switch |
Despite insisting that he has no immediate racing plans post this year's Brazilian Grand Prix in October – what will be the final race of his 15-year Formula 1 career – the rumour mill is already suggesting that David Coulthard's absence from the starting grid could be just a fleeting one.
With a record of 13 grand prix victories, 62 rostrum finishes – the most recent of which came in Montreal this year – 18 pole positions and 533 points, the experienced Scot is statistically the most successful British driver in the sport's history, and fourth on the all-time points-scorers list, behind only multiple world champions Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna.
Now, German website
Focus has suggested that – with Red Bull's sponsorship paving the way financially – Audi may be interested in securing the 37-year-old's services for the 2009 DTM campaign.
Whilst stating that he has no plans to compete next season – preferring to concentrate on his new testing and development role with Red Bull Racing, and having also been linked with an F1 punditry role for the
BBC – Coulthard has nevertheless hinted that he is not hanging up his helmet for good.
“I have had no conversations with anyone about racing anything next year,” he is quoted as having said by
F1SA.
“The only reason I said I haven't hung up my helmet is because in six months or one year, if there is an opportunity to race something that I think could be interesting, then everybody will say he is coming out of retirement.”
Previous F1 stars to enter the DTM include Coulthard's former McLaren-Mercedes team-mate – and 1998 and 1999 F1 World Champion – Mika Hakkinen, Ferrari favourite Jean Alesi, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and, currently, Ralf Schumacher with Mercedes-Benz.
There have also been rumours that 1997 title-winner Jacques Villeneuve could be looking into joining the series, most likely with Mercedes.
