Grapevine: Coulthard Crosses the Bridge

Coulthard and his team were promoting the upcoming inaugural Turkish Grand Prix over the weekend, with the Scot visiting the new track near Istanbul on Saturday, and making a run on the streets of the capital city on Sunday.

The highlight of the visit was a drive across the famous bridge connecting the two continents, with the Scot travelling in this year's Red Bull Racing car from the European side to the Asian side of Istanbul, and then back to the president's palace.

"I feel very privileged to be the first person to drive a Formula One car between Europe and Asia," Coulthard said in a press conference after his run.

"I had the opportunity to visit the new track, and it really is one of the best facilities I've ever seen of all the tracks at which we race. The hospitality I've received here in Istanbul has been absolutely first class, so I've really had my eyes opened as to what Turkey has to offer."

The Scot said the new circuit layout appears to offer a good racing spectacle but said it will also be demanding. "The track looks really enjoyable to me," he stated. "However, it doesn't lack toughness: there are difficult turns and demanding ups and downs. I think the spectacle will be good, for the MotoGP race too, which I'll come to watch as a spectator [on October 23rd]."

Asked who he believes would win the first Turkish Grand Prix, on August 21st, Coulthard said: "I wish it could be Red Bull, but I think in reality the two quickest teams will still be McLaren and Renault. So I think it will be between those two.

"Ferrari are struggling a little this year, and obviously the fans of Ferrari would want them to do well, but I think that the characteristics of this track mean that McLaren could be expected to do very well - I think that [Kimi] Raikkonen has a very good chance of winning this Grand Prix."