Red Bull to Keep Coulthard Next Year

The Briton's impressive form at the start of the season is believed to have been a major factor in the team deciding that they needed him to again lead the team in 2006. Although the one-year deal has not been officially announced yet, it is expected to be confirmed before this weekend's British Grand Prix.

The new contract should provide Coulthard with a serious chance of launching a major challenge on race victories next year, with RBR having already confirmed that they are switching to Ferrari customer engines next year.

The prospects of the Ferrari deal almost certainly played its part in persuading Coulthard to re-sign with the team, even though he is understood to have been in talks with BAR about possibly replacing Jenson Button next year.

The news of Coulthard's decision means that Red Bull's other drivers, Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi, are set to renew their battle to land a full-time race seat with the team next year.

Team owner Dietrich Mateschitz has hinted several times, however, that he would consider loaning out one of his young drivers to a rival team in a bid to help him gain experience.