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David Coulthard to retire from motor racing after DTM finale

David Coulthard will retire from motor racing following this weekend's DTM season finale at Hockenheim

The 41-year-old Briton, whose career included 13 Formula 1 World Championship race wins for McLaren and Williams, and has competed in the DTM for Mercedes since 2010, wants to dedicate his time to other things

"This weekend will be my final race at this level," Coulthard said. "Now I'm going to concentrate on developing my off-track businesses and, of course, spending more time with my family.

"I want to thank Norbert Haug and Mercedes Motorsport for providing me with this opportunity and the sponsors for allowing the Wings for Life Foundation to have space on the car, which has helped raise awareness and funding for research into spinal cord injuries."

Coulthard made his car racing debut in 1989 in Formula Ford 1600 and won both British championships plus the inaugural McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award.

Race-winning campaigns in Formula Vauxhall Lotus and F3 - including the prestigious Masters and Macau races - paved the way for a test role with the Williams F1 team.

The death of Ayrton Senna at Imola in '94 gave Coulthard a shot at the big time with Williams, and he took his first F1 win for the team in Portugal in '95.

A move to McLaren for '96 was the catalyst for 12 more victories plus the runner-up spot in the world championship in 2001.

After moving to Red Bull for '05, he gave the team its maiden podium finish and eventually ended his F1 career in Brazil three years later after racking up 246 starts; a total only bettered by four other drivers.

Since quitting F1 Coulthard has combined his broadcasting role with the BBC's coverage of the sport with his DTM race drive and ambassadorial roles with AMG and Red Bull. The latter two positions will be retained.

Mercedes motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug said: "David is our first F1 winner of the modern era and that victory on 9th March 1997 in Melbourne ensures his place in our motorsport history.

"David drove successfully for us and our partner McLaren during nine Formula 1 seasons, and still today he is one of the most popular racing drivers in the world.

"David's involvement in the DTM has been good for him and for the championship - he is skilled on the race track, and eloquent and analytical in his TV work and as an AMG brand ambassador.

"He has been a successful member of the Mercedes family for over a decade and a half, and will remain so after his retirement from active racing.

"An abbreviation from the racing world best summarises what I want to say to David on behalf of everybody: TD - but this time, it stands for 'Thanks, David'."

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