Red Bull driver David Coulthard has announced that he will retire at the end of the current Formula One season.
Scot to stay on with his current team in a consultancy capacity
Red Bull driver David Coulthard has confirmed that he will retire at the end of the current Formula One season.
The 37-year-old Scot made the announcement ahead of his home Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend, a race that will be his 237th career start.
He has managed 62 podium finishes and 13 wins, his last coming at the Australian Grand Prix in 2003, and amassed 533 Championship points.
After competing in the Formula Three and Formula 3000 series, Coulthard became a test driver for Williams before getting his chance to race in tragic circumstances.
Spanish debut
The man from Twynholm was promoted to partner Damon Hill following the death of Ayrton Senna at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.
He made his debut in Spain as a replacement for the Brazilian, going on to record his maiden victory in F1 the following season in Portugal.
In 1996 he moved onto McLaren, working alongside future world champions Mika Häkkinen and Kimi Räikkönen before joining Red Bull three years ago.
Coulthard, currently the oldest driver in the championship, has stated he will remain with his current team beyond the end of the season in a consultancy capacity.
Statement
"I would like to announce today my decision to retire from racing in Formula One at the end of this season," a statement from Coulthard read.
"I will remain actively involved in the sport as a consultant to Red Bull Racing focusing on testing and development of the cars. I have an open mind as to whether or not I will compete again in the future, in some other form of motorsport, so I am definitely not hanging up my helmet.
"My decision to retire was taken earlier in the year and is based on a desire to stop while I am still competitive and enjoying the immense challenge that Grand Prix driving represents. I also have the desire to look for new challenges within the sport.
"The decision to make this announcement at the British GP should be an obvious one for all to understand, as I have achieved two of my 13 F1 victories at Silverstone and I am a member of the British Racing Drivers' Club, which hosts this event.
"I am proud of my work at Red Bull Racing and will continue to race with the same focus until the last lap in Brazil. Thereafter I will continue to help the team develop and move towards their ultimate goal of winning races."
