Brundle Confident about Coulthard's Future

David Coulthard has not given up on staying in Formula One next year with Red Bull Racing, despite claims from team owner Dietrich Mateschitz last week that the outfit were set on using Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi

Coulthard's manager Martin Brundle has said that he plans to open talks with Red Bull's chiefs soon to discuss an extension to the Scotsman's one-year contract - and if that is not successful then he will also consider options elsewhere.

"I expect to be talking to Red Bull about David's contract for next year and, to be honest, some other teams too," Brundle told the ITV website. "David's a world-class driver and a big name.

"Yes, Bahrain was a tricky one, but again I would say it's five weeks since Melbourne. Has David Coulthard lost all that speed in five weeks? I don't think so."

Although Coulthard was outpaced by Klien during qualifying in Bahrain, Brundle claims that the Austrian's performance has been boosted by having the former McLaren driver on board - and that the whole team are benefiting from his experience.

"What's absolutely clear, and I think Christian would confirm this, is that having DC around has given the team extra knowledge," added Brundle. "Why has Klien suddenly turned into this great little driver? It's a platform, an experience and a direction.

"As good as Mark [Webber] was, he had never been in a top team. I think DC's taken quite a lot to that team and if they choose to sponge that out of him well then...we'll have to wait and see, but it's a tough sport. Formula One is a tough sport."