David Coulthard marked the first years of the Red Bull team in F1: he was its sporting and media figurehead, and supported the development of the team.
Ironically, however, Coulthard’s retirement at the end of 2008 coincided with the rise of Red Bull: by 2009, the Milton Keynes team won 6 Grands Prix and the title the following year.
Coulthard could have added a 14th victory in F1 to his record, or even a first title… so doesn’t he regret having left F1 perhaps a year too early?
“I don’t regret it, because it’s all about energy and how long you last in a certain role,” he explains to Racer.
“And I think there’s nothing worse than being the person who stays too long.” My form was declining. I had some great opportunities in my career to win races and somewhat challenge for championships earlier in my career. »
“I knew it was the right time, because when I tested the car at the beginning of 2008 for the first time, I knew it would not be a car capable of winning a Grand Prix. That’s not to say we couldn’t win a Grand Prix, because there are always those moments like Olivier Panis in Monaco, but it was, in my opinion, very unlikely, and it meant another 12 months of hard work . »
“And the way I drove, I didn’t just show up and jump in the car. It was eating up my time, every day, every week, I did all the tests, I never missed events because it matters. It’s important to show your commitment. »
“I think there have been other drivers who were lazier but more successful – maybe that was the key to their success. But you have to commit to what you believe is the right way to be part of a team. »
“The reason I spent nine years at McLaren and why I still have a relationship with Red Bull today… is because of that work ethic. »
Still engaged with Red Bull
Today, in fact, Coulthard remains involved with the Milton Keynes team: he regularly gives demonstrations at the wheel of old cars…
But does he also have a say in the daily life of the F1 team?
“I’m not involved with the racing team at all, I don’t have any sort of knowledge or special access to that, which is great for my role as a TV consultant, because I can just say what I see. »
The Scot is also a brand ambassador for Mercedes. An awkward mix of genres?
“Despite some people still thinking I’m more lenient toward one than the other, I think a lot of the time it’s their bias rather than mine. »
“I don’t decide who wins. I was really excited at some of the Grands Prix when Mercedes were dominant, or even when Nico (Rosberg) was winning – he took me out of my last Grand Prix and I don’t hold a grudge… well, I hold a grudge, but the credit goes to the one who did an incredible job and worked hard and got a great result in any Grand Prix. I have my opinion. »
“But you have your point of view, and someone else has their point of view, and you might get three different points of view, but in the end it’s okay. I have always found it fascinating that when it comes to incidents, accidents and decisions of the stewards, I can see one way, but of course the stewards can see another way, and I respect that they have more information at their disposal in the same way that I had to do when I was flying. I didn’t always agree with some of the penalties they gave me, but the referee is the referee. »
In the end, Coulthard today enjoys his role as ‘demonstration driver’, or even official daredevil, for Red Bull.
“I couldn’t give an exact figure, but I’ve done over 50 events over the years, including when I was in F1. »
“I am always amazed by the reception from the public. There have been events where we’ve actually had tens of thousands of people show up. »
“I enjoyed the, let’s say, more difficult missions like being on top of the Burj Al Arab, because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment. And I’m not saying that driving down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington in a Formula 1 car isn’t a unique moment, but I think it was just so out of the ordinary, and we did it in Miami too ( at the One Thousand Museum). It’s fun because at the end of the day you’re doing something really quite different. »
“I remember asking Mr. (Red Bull co-founder Dietrich) Mateschitz from the very beginning – because I had spent nine years at McLaren, and I fit in quite well in that environment – I asked: ‘What should I know, what are the do’s and don’ts?’ and he replied: ‘Just be yourself.’ It was that simple. If you fit the brand, you are with the brand. If you don’t want to be with the brand, then that’s fine. So it’s incredibly simple. »
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