Grapevine: Coulthard gets a blast from the past

Frere, who raced in 11 Grands Prix between 1952 and 1956, visited this week's test at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and had a lengthy chat with Coulthard about what F1 was like in his era.

And Coulthard, who last met Frere 15 years ago when he was just a test driver for Williams, admits that the conversation has opened his eyes about safety in F1.

"What a great job it was in those days," said Coulthard. "At that time sex was safe and motorsport was dangerous. Now it is the other way around. So it might have been an interesting time to be in - for other reasons!"

Coulthard has said he finds it hard to believe how much technology has moved on in the last 50 years - both in terms of the cars themselves and what is available to help design them.

"Technology has developed a lot," he said. "The wind tunnel we use at Red Bull Racing was built during the war, so we have something from the past that we still use. But using it today, that may explain why we are not as quick as McLaren or Ferrari!

"I don't disagree with Paul on the reduction of aero sensitivity and the increase of grip, which would make for more overtaking. Maybe we should spend some more time talking to Max Mosley with Paul."

But despite reminiscing about the past, Coulthard admits that he would not have enjoyed driving the cars of yesteryear.

"I drove a 250 Maserati around Goodwood, and it was possibly the most frightening experience of driving I have had in my career.

"You had no seat belt and you sat with your legs wide open because you had the drive train between your legs. I felt like I was going to a gynaecologist!

"Plus the gear level was down near my ankle and the steering was huge. The drivers must have been a strange shape in those days.

"Then the car had lots of power and no downforce, so the braking distance was long. It was exciting, but I felt quite vulnerable. There were no seat belts and the roll over cage was...my body!"