Coulthard 'more motivated than ever'

That is the view of team boss Christian Horner, who claims that Coulthard has upped his efforts over the winter ahead of the 2007 season.

"David is tremendously motivated," Horner said on the Central Stage at the Autosport International Show. "He has worked extremely hard in the past two years with the team, he has been an instrumental part with the team and he has gone about his off-season with more effort than before.

"He is training harder and he is physically fitter than he has ever been. He is motivated, anxious to get going and looking forward to seeing how the new car goes. He has big expectations for the season ahead, and I have not seen him more motivated or fitter."

Although Red Bull's switch to Renault engines and Newey's input into the RB3 have raised expectations on the team, Horner is keen to play down talk of an instant transformation of form.

"We have a very competitive engine, we have one of the most successful designers ever doing the car and we have great strength in depth," explained Horner.

"Expectations inevitably rise, but one has to remember we are an independent team and taking on some formidable opponents and manufacturer teams.

"But the objectives are clear: we want to achieve success in F1. And this year should be the first stage to doing that."