Coulthard: I won't Quit F1
A defiant David Coulthard says he has no plans to retire from Formula One after the season-ending race in Brazil.
A defiant David Coulthard says he has no plans to retire from Formula One after the season-ending race in Brazil.
The Briton will leave McLaren after the final race in Sao Paulo and has yet to secure a drive for 2005. But Coulthard vowed to race on, even if it means sitting out a year.
"I'm not ready to retire," he told Reuters. "I'll try and get a drive for next year and if I don't, then I'll try and get one the following year."
Coulthard has struggled for McLaren again this season and he was forced out of Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix after a collision with Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello.
"It was disappointing, but the whole last two years have been disappointing," shrugged Coulthard, a winner of 13 Formula One races. "You just have to accept it."
Coulthard has been linked with a move to BAR if Jenson Button's defection to Williams is approved by the Contract Recognition Board, which meets in Milan this weekend.
"I think I have the pace, the desire, the commitment and the overtaking ability to be competitive," said Coulthard, whose last victory came in Melbourne at the start of the 2003 season.
"But until I sign a contract for next season I've got nothing. It's as simple as that. I hope Brazil won't be my last Grand Prix. I'll do what I can to make sure I'm on the grid for next season."
Coulthard was comprehensively outperformed by Finnish teammate Kimi Raikkonen in 2003, and the 33-year-old, who has been with McLaren since 1996, complained of a lack of support within the team this season.
"The only thing that stands between me performing at the highest level is just being in a team where you've got the support - you know they want you to be there," he said.
"I'm not saying the team's against me but naturally their resources go into where they're investing for the future."
Schu: No home help for Rubens
Jaguar Nowhere Near a Solution, Says Pitchforth
How MSR took Acura to the first win of sportscar racing's new era
After much anticipation, the new dawn for sportscar racing got underway with a result that mirrored the pattern of the IMSA SportsCar Championship's previous DPi era. Here's how Acura once again took top honours in the Daytona 24 Hours with a 1-2 led by Meyer Shank Racing as the new GTP class for LMDh hybrid prototypes made its bow
Alonso's pushy trait a boost for me in 2023 F1 season, says Stroll
Aston Martin Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll says Fernando Alonso's pushy nature will be a boost to both him and the squad this year.
Porsche aims to “learn quick” from Daytona 24 Hours disappointment
Porsche’s director of factory racing Urs Kuratle says his team will gain valuable answers from its disappointing results in the Daytona 24 Hours.
Ferrari: Claims of 30hp F1 engine step for 2023 "a joke"
Ferrari has labelled rumours of a 30hp leap in engine performance this year as a "joke", amid growing intrigue about the steps that Formula 1 manufacturers have made for 2023.
Who were the fastest drivers in F1 2022?
Who was the fastest driver in 2022? Everyone has an opinion, but what does the stopwatch say? Obviously, differing car performance has an effect on ultimate laptime – but it’s the relative speed of each car/driver package that’s fascinating and enlightening says ALEX KALINAUCKAS
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
The potential-laden F1 car that Ferrari neglected
The late Mauro Forghieri played a key role in Ferrari’s mid-1960s turnaround, says STUART CODLING, and his pretty, intricate 1512 was among the most evocative cars of the 1.5-litre era. But a victim of priorities as Formula 1 was deemed less lucrative than success in sportscars, its true potential was never seen in period
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? LUKE SMITH asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1
OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans
How can McLaren keep hold of Norris?
Lando Norris is no longer the young cheeky-chappy at McLaren; he’s now the established ace. And F1's big guns will come calling if the team can’t give him a competitive car. Here's what the team needs to do to retain its prize asset
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.