David Coulthard confirms retirement decision

~~Titch~~ · 03-07-2008, 02:26 PM

Adios to one of the greatest drivers Forumla 1 has ever seen.

http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=43194

David Coulthard has confirmed that he will retire from Formula 1 racing at the end of the 2008 season.

But the veteran Scot intends to remain involved in the sport, and will stay
on with Red Bull Racing as a consultant and development driver.

"I would like to announce today my decision to retire from racing in Formula 1 at the end of this season," said Coulthard in a statement issued at Silverstone.

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

"I am proud of my work at Red Bull Racing and will continue to race with the same focus until the last lap in Brazil.

"Thereafter I will continue to help the team develop and move towards their ultimate goal of winning races."

The itv.com/f1 columnist revealed that he had decided earlier in the season that this would be his last year of F1 racing.

"My decision to retire was taken earlier in the year and is based on a desire to stop while I am still competitive and enjoying the immense challenge that grand prix driving represents," Coulthard explained.

"I also have the desire to look for new challenges within the sport.

"The decision to make this announcement at the British GP should be an obvious one for all to understand, as I have achieved two of my thirteen F1 victories at Silverstone and I am a member of the British Racing Drivers' Club, which hosts this event."

He added that while this year's Interlagos race would be his final F1 start, he would not rule out racing in another category in the future.

"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," Coulthard said.

The 37-year-old has contested 237 GPs since making his debut with Williams in mid-1994, when he was promoted from test driver duties to the race team following the death of Ayrton Senna.

He remained with Williams until the end of 1995, taking his first F1 win in Portugal that year, before switching to McLaren - where he would claim 12 further victories during a record nine-year stint at the team.

Coulthard then joined Red Bull Racing for its inaugural F1 season in 2005, and has played an integral role in the team's progress up the grid.