Coulthard would have Taken Testing Role

The veteran Scot was left without a seat for 2005 after McLaren signed Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya to partner Kimi Raikkonen this season.

But Coulthard landed a last-minute deal with Red Bull and has taken the opportunity to shine in some races this season. He has scored 17 points so far.

The 34-year old, however, said he was ready to spend the year testing.

"I was committed to being in F1," said Coulthard. "At the point when I left McLaren I didn't know in what capacity, and I was prepared to go testing if I couldn't go racing to get back in for 2006.

"But ultimately there was the opportunity with Red Bull, which I didn't dive straight into. I went and did the test to get a feel for the car."

Coulthard, winner of 13 Grands Prix during his career, says he is still as committed as ever despite being unable to fight at the top of the field.

"I'm still committed as ever," he said. "I wouldn't be sitting here right now if that wasn't the case. Do you think I'd be putting myself through this every weekend if didn't want that commitment? This isn't a pay day for me.

"I have a financial base, I have businesses, opportunities to go and do other things. The reality is, when I sit down in the cold light of day, what brings me the most pleasure and gives me the motivation to get up and train and live my life, is Formula One.

"I enjoy the technical challenge, driving the cars, working with people, and I don't see anyone in the team going significantly quicker than me. The point at which I can be called into question is when I'm being consistently beaten."

With a contract for Red Bull for 2006, Coulthard is unsure about when he will retire.

"Of course there will (be a day when I decide to stop). I just hope it happens at the end of the season because if it happened mid-season then you can't go on. You have to stop. The minute you doubt your commitment, you cannot drive these cars around the streets of Monte Carlo without commitment.

"If I wasn't committed, I couldn't wake up and just turn it on for Monaco. I would pull a sickie because that's the last place you want to be driving at 99%."