David Coulthard insists he is ‘definitely not hanging up his helmet' for good, despite having today revealed his retirement from
Formula 1 at the end of 15 seasons in the top flight [see separate story –
click here].
The experienced Scot – at 37, the oldest driver on the current grand prix grid – made the announcement ahead of his home outing at
Silverstone this weekend, a race in which he triumphed back-to-back for McLaren-Mercedes in 1999 and 2000.
Those are but two of the highlights of a long and successful career in
F1 that began with Williams-
Renault back in 1994 – stepping into the void to replace the late, great
Ayrton Senna after Imola – and has since taken in 13 victories, 62 rostrum finishes, twelve pole positions, 18 fastest laps and 533 points, making him statistically the most successful British driver in grand prix history and fourth-most successful of all time, behind only multiple world champions
Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost and Senna.
Now, however, the man from Twynholm has decided to call it a day, and has confirmed that he will remain with his current employer
Red Bull Racing as a consultant focussing on testing and development, in much the same manner as Michael Schumacher has prolonged his own F1 career with
Ferrari.
He has also been linked to a commentary role for the
BBC's coverage of the sport from 2009, whilst he refused to rule out a return to competition in other categories in the years to come.
“I will remain actively involved in the sport as a consultant to Red Bull Racing, focussing on testing and development of the cars,” he stated. “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!
