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Q & A with David Coulthard

Q. Every year for the last two or three the press has asked you if this is going to be your last Silverstone. You have said you want to carry on racing, but a time will come when you will know it is your last British Grand Prix. Will that be emotional?

David Coulthard: In theory it should be. We're all different, and I'm quite a realist. When something has happened, or a decision has been taken or whatever it happens to be, it's not something I dwell on, I just get on with the next thing. It's just one of those things. When that moment comes, it's the journey of life. You just move on to the next thing.

I'm currently a grand prix driver, I have been for many seasons, and I'm sitting here still as a grand prix driver because I still enjoy it, and I get a buzz from it, and clearly I deliver a value enough for the team to commit to me for the last few years.

There will be a point, naturally, where that's not going to continue and... boo hoo, you know? There are a lot of worse things that can happen to you. You just move on to the next challenge.

Q. Is Silverstone still one of the races that gives you the biggest thrill?

DC: Absolutely. Driving down Hangar Straight to Stowe Corner, and seeing all of the crowd standing at the side of the track, that is particularly special at Silverstone because it's a British crowd, and you see the British flags, and the home of motorsport is in Britain. So that's a feel-good moment.

A lot of tracks you don't even bother looking out at the grandstands, but when you are on Hangar Straight you're not driving - you're just sitting on the straight waiting until you get to the braking point. So you soak up the atmosphere. And I've always been like that since 1994, and I will be doing exactly the same when I race there in a couple of weeks.

Q. So the British GP is not just another race to you then?

DC: Pointswise it's just another race, but in terms of atmosphere, the feel-good factor, the history, all of those things are special. Monaco is special because of all of those reasons that we know. Magny-Cours is not particularly special - it's another Grand Prix, and it's a nice enough track, it's just not a great venue.

Q. You have been vocal about driving these cars in the rain without traction control - are you concerned about the possibility of aquaplaning at Silverstone?

DC: Absolutely. You do get a lot of standing water at Silverstone. When you go through that kink onto the Hangar Straight, you do get a lot of standing water. Likewise on the run down from Club to Abbey, there is always standing water. So we will see a different wet race on those types of tracks with no traction control.

Q. Would you give anything to stand on the podium one more time at Silverstone?

DC: Well, I wouldn't give anything, but it would definitely be a great feeling. But I really enjoyed being on the podium in Canada - it's a great feeling. It was great for the team, it was great for me personally, and that might be our only opportunity this year, given the way we currently sit in the competitiveness of the car. But racing is racing, and a lot of things can happen.

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