DC gears up for historic goodbye

The Briton is set to make his landmark 150th grand prix start for McLaren at Interlagos this weekend - making him the first man to have driven that many grands prix for the same team since the world championship began in 1950.

But although he is likely to get a rousing send off from McLaren, which is replacing him with Juan Pablo Montoya in 2005, Coulthard is likely to have pretty mixed feelings with his own future uncertain.

"There is no denying that Brazil will be a weekend of mixed emotions for me, as it has been a great nine seasons with the team," said Coulthard. "I believe I have the pace, desire and ability to be competitive, and as I have stated I am not ready to retire. I am continuing to try and get a drive next year, but if I don't then I'll try the following year."

Coulthard is not the only driver heading to Brazil with mixed feelings, because team-mate Kimi Raikkonen returns to the scene of his temporary victory last year - which was handed to Giancarlo Fisichella after the event following a time keeping error.

Raikkonen said: "My memories of last year's Brazilian race are of course mixed having been so close to victory, and hopefully this time I will be able to take a good result to end the season with."

The Finn will also be eager to get the Brazilian GP weekend over with, so he can finally take his honeymoon with wife Jenni - after marrying her in the three-week break prior to this year's Hungarian Grand Prix.