David Coulthard | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Coulthard in 2022 | |
| Born | David Marshall Coulthard (1971-03-27)27 March 1971 (age 54) Twynholm, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |  British |
| Active years | 1994–2008 |
| Teams | Williams,McLaren,Red Bull |
| Entries | 247 (246 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 13 |
| Podiums | 62 |
| Careerpoints | 535 |
| Pole positions | 12 |
| Fastest laps | 18 |
| First entry | 1994 Spanish Grand Prix |
| First win | 1995 Portuguese Grand Prix |
| Last win | 2003 Australian Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix |
David Marshall Coulthard (born 27 March 1971) is a British formerracing driver andbroadcaster from Scotland who competed inFormula One from1994 to2008. Nicknamed "DC", Coulthard was runner-up in theFormula One World Drivers' Championship in2001 withMcLaren, and won 13Grands Prix across 15 seasons.
Born and raised inKirkcudbrightshire, Coulthard began karting at age 11 and achieved early success before progressing to car racing in theBritish Formula Ford Championship and theFormula 3000 series. He first drove inFormula One withWilliams in the1994 season succeeding the lateAyrton Senna. The following year he won his first Grand Prix inPortugal, and then for the1996 season he moved toMcLaren. After winning two races in the1997 season, he finished 3rd in the World Drivers' Championship in the1998 season.
Coulthard won five races during1999 and2000 before finishing second in the Drivers' Championship toMichael Schumacher in2001. Two more victories followed between2002 and2003 before he left McLaren at the end of2004. He moved toRed Bull in 2005 and secured their first podium a year later. Coulthard retired from Formula One at the end of2008, having achieved 13 wins, 12 pole positions, 18 fastest laps and 62 podiums.
After retiring from Formula One, Coulthard continued working with Red Bull as a consultant and joined theBBC as a commentator and pundit for their coverage of Formula One. He returned to active motorsports in 2010 joiningMücke Motorsport inDTM and retired at the end of 2012. Coulthard has also participated in theRace of Champions, finishing runner-up in the Drivers' Cup in2008, and winning the competition in2014 and2018. Since 2016 he has worked as a commentator and analyst forChannel 4 after they took over the BBC's terrestrial television rights. In 2022, he joined the Nordic streaming serviceViaplay. There he appears during Formula One race weekends as a reporter and expert commentator alongsideMika Häkkinen andTom Kristensen.
In 2019, Coulthard was elected president of theBritish Racing Drivers' Club (owner ofSilverstone Circuit).[1]
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Coulthard was born on 27 March 1971 inTwynholm,Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, one of three children to road haulier Duncan Coulthard and Elizabeth Joyce Coulthard née Marshall.[2] His family was connected to motor racing: his grandfather competed in theMonte Carlo Rally and his father drove karts, becoming Scottish National Champion.[3] From an early age motorsport was where his interest lay, later listingFormula One World ChampionsJim Clark,Nigel Mansell andAlain Prost as his childhood heroes.[4] Coulthard was educated atKirkcudbright Academy, achieving eightO-grades.[2]
Coulthard begankarting when his father presented him with his first kart for his eleventh birthday.[3] Having won several local karting championships including the Scottish Junior Kart Championship and the Scottish Kart Championship, Coulthard participated in events further down the UK, including title victory in the Cumbria Kart Racing Club Championship in 1985. Coulthard graded each race he entered on a scale of 1 to 10, with an additional column headlined "Performance".[3] He later gave credit toDavid Leslie, senior and junior for allowing his career to develop.[5]
In 1989, Coulthard made the transition from karting to car racing. It is often erroneously claimed that he won theBritish Formula Ford Championship that season, however this is not the case. Coulthard actually won the lesser P&O Ferries Formula Ford 1600 Junior championship.[6]
Coulthard became the first recipient of theMcLaren/Autosport Young Driver of the Year award, which allowed him to test a McLaren Formula One car.[7] In 1990, Coulthard travelled to Belgium to compete in theEFDA Nations Cup for Great Britain and was partnered with Nicky Hart, where they finished 9th.[8] During the year, Coulthard was selected by Vauxhall Motorsport to race in a one-off appearance in theBritish Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Brands Hatch, where he finished 13th (7th in Class). At the time, he was the 2nd youngest driver to race in the series, afterMartin Brundle. He did not return to the series after suffering a leg injury in a Formula Vauxhall race at Spa-Francorchamps.[9]
For 1991, Coulthard signed withPaul Stewart Racing to compete in theBritish Formula 3 series, taking five victories and finishing second in the Championship behindRubens Barrichello. Coulthard won theMacau Grand Prix and theMasters of Formula Three. He later traveled to theFuji Speedway to compete in the annual Formula Three Fuji Cup, taking pole position and finished second behindJordi Gené.[10]
In 1992, Coulthard moved to theInternational Formula 3000 series, where he suffered from a lack of competitiveness and finished ninth in the championship. For 1993, Coulthard joinedPacific Racing, taking one victory and finishing third in the series.[11] He entered the24 Hours of Le Mans alongsideJohn Nielsen andDavid Brabham for theTWR Jaguar Racing team. The trio won the GT Class, although they were later disqualified for a technical infringement.[12] He moved to the Vortex team in 1994, which received investment from a private investor, allowing Coulthard to drive for the team. In his first and only race for the team held atSilverstone, Coulthard finished third.[13]
Throughout 1993 and 1994, Coulthard was employed by theWilliams team as their official test driver. Main driverAyrton Senna was killed in the1994 San Marino Grand Prix, meaning Williams would need a second driver. Coulthard received a telephone call from team principalFrank Williams to test the Williams car atJerez circuit over four days, causing him to miss a Formula 3000 race atPau.[13][14]
Making his début inSpain, Coulthard qualified in eighth position, and was set to score a point before his engine failed 34 laps from the finish. He followed this up by scoring his first points with a fifth-place finish inCanada. Williams dropped Coulthard for the following race inFrance, allowing 1992 Drivers' ChampionNigel Mansell to make a one-off appearance due to pressure from engine supplierRenault.[15] The move strained the relationship between Williams and Coulthard[16] who returned for theBritish Grand Prix, finishing fifth. For Germany, Williams introduced a revised version of their car, theWilliams FW16B. He suffered back to back retirements in the next two races but secured three consecutive points scoring positions—including a podium finish with a second-place inPortugal. Mansell later returned to fill Coulthard's seat for the final three races of the season. Coulthard finished the season in eighth place with Williams first in the Constructors' Championship. For his role, Coulthard was awarded BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year and received an award at the BBC Scottish Sports Personality of the Year.[17]
In November, Coulthard became embroiled in a contract dispute. During the Australian Grand Prix, Coulthard chose to leave Williams and signed a contract withMcLaren.[18] Williams, however, insisted that they had the right to exercise their option to keep Coulthard, who was on a three-year contract with the team.[19] Coulthard's management argued that the Williams option was not binding.[18] The dispute went to Formula One's Contract Recognition Board, who ruled in favour of Williams on 14 December, forcing Coulthard to stay with the team.[20]
In 1995, Coulthard again competed with Williams alongsideDamon Hill. He was optimistic for the season, saying: "I'd like to think I can win a Grand Prix this year. That's really my aim, plus to score points in as many races as possible."[13] Coulthard's season started off with controversy when he and Benetton driverMichael Schumacher were disqualified for fuel irregularities in the first round inBrazil, where Coulthard finished second.[21] On appeal, the original results of both drivers were reinstated.[22] The next five races saw four retirements for Coulthard, plus a fourth-place finish inSan Marino.[23]
Despite his poor form in the early part of the season, Coulthard secured four consecutive podiums, with a further two consecutive retirements inBelgium andItaly. ForPortugal, Williams introduced a revised version of their car, theWilliams FW17B.[24] Coulthard took pole position and led a majority of the race to take his first Formula One race victory.[25] He took a further two podiums at theNürburgring andAida, retired inSuzuka, and infamously crashed into the pit lane wall while leading inAdelaide.[26] Coulthard finished the season third in the Drivers' Championship, helping Williams secure second place in the Constructors' Championship.[27]
For 1996, Coulthard partnered experienced driverMika Häkkinen at McLaren, and believed there was a chance of winning races, though a challenge for the World Championship was unlikely until 1997 or 1998.[28] His season started badly; he suffered a throttle issue inAustralia, including a collision with Jordan driver Martin Brundle on the first lap. Coulthard spun off inBrazil and finished outside the points inArgentina. However, Coulthard secured a podium at theNürburgring and led the race inSan Marino before suffering a hydraulic failure.[23]
Coulthard followed the result with a second-place finish in the wet race atMonaco before suffering a first-lap accident in the wet race inSpain. Before theCanadian Grand Prix, Coulthard signed an extension to his contract that would keep him at McLaren until 1998.[29] Coulthard secured points finishing positions in the next four races, before suffering three consecutive retirements. He rounded these results by finishing outside the points-scoring positions inPortugal andJapan. Coulthard managed to secure seventh place in the Drivers' Championship.[23]
In 1997, Coulthard again partnered Häkkinen at McLaren. He started his season by taking victory in the opening round inAustralia.[30] Coulthard was unable to score in the next four rounds, due to being involved in a collision inArgentina and contended with unreliability with his car. The factor of unreliability had an impact throughout the season, which became notable inCanada when Coulthard made a pit stop while leading and the car developed clutch problems. He suffered from four more retirements throughout the season, and was able to take victory at theItalian Grand Prix.[31] He was able to secure two more podium positions inAustria andJerez, where Coulthard conceded second place to teammate Häkkinen under team orders.[32] Coulthard managed to finish in third place in the Drivers' Championship, tied on points with Benetton driverJean Alesi.[33]
In 1998, Coulthard remained at McLaren and continued to be partnered by Häkkinen. The season started controversially inAustralia for the McLaren team when Coulthard, who was leading let Häkkinen past to win the race. Coulthard later revealed a pre-race agreement by the team that whoever led into the first corner on the first lap would be allowed to win the race.[34] However, the race marked a run of consistent results, with Coulthard scoring three further podiums, including victory inSan Marino.[35] Coulthard retired from three out of the next four races, and followed this up by taking a further five podiums during the remainder of the season, including a retirement inItaly.[36]
His only finish outside the points-scoring positions was inBelgium, following a 7th-place finish. In wet conditions, Coulthard initially crashed out on the first lap, triggering an enormous multi-car collision. The race was restarted, and he was later involved in a controversial collision with Michael Schumacher when being lapped, leading to an angry confrontation in the pit lane.[37] Coulthard admitted five years later that the accident had been his mistake.[38][39] Coulthard came third in the Drivers' Championship, behind Schumacher and Häkkinen,[40] and helped McLaren clinch the Constructors' Championship.[41] Coulthard was awarded theHawthorn Memorial Trophy, an annual award given to the most successful British or Commonwealth driver in Formula One over the course of one season.[42]
Coulthard stayed with McLaren, alongside Häkkinen for 1999. His season got off with two consecutive retirements inAustralia andBrazil caused by hydraulics and gearbox failures, respectively. Coulthard managed to clinch second place inSan Marino before suffering from another gearbox issue atMonaco. He took his second podium of the year inSpain before Coulthard later finished outside the points-scoring positions inCanada and retired with electrical problems inFrance.[23]
Coulthard managed to secure six consecutive finishes inside of the points, which included victories inBritain andBelgium and podium finishes inAustria andHungary. His season was rounded by three consecutive retirements in the final rounds of the season. Overall, Coulthard finished in fourth place in the Drivers' Championship, six points behind Jordan driverHeinz-Harald Frentzen,[43] and helped McLaren take second place in the Constructors' Championship.[44]
For 2000, Coulthard reorganised his schedule for the season, concentrating on his performances and spending less time working on promotional campaigns. Many motorsport critics labelled 2000 as Coulthard's "make or break" year.[45]
The first rounds of the season proved difficult for Coulthard; In the opening round inAustralia, he retired from engine problems, and finished second inBrazil, before being disqualified as the front wing endplates on his car 7mm lower than the required 50mm above the reference plane.[46] Coulthard overcame these setbacks and finished on the podium in the next five races, which included victories inBritain andMonaco. In June, Coulthard signed an extension to his contract, confirming he would remain at McLaren for 2001.[47] A non-points scoring finish inCanada, followed victory inFrance, a victory which he later described as the most memorable of his career which also happened to be McLaren's only ever win at the Magny-Cours circuit.[48] A hat-trick of podiums followed in the next three rounds and secured a fourth-place finish inBelgium. Coulthard was involved in a multi-car collision on the first lap inItaly. This would be marked by scoring points in the final three rounds, including podiums inJapan andMalaysia. Coulthard finished third in the Drivers' Championship, with 73 points, and McLaren finished second in the Constructors' Champions.[23] For his efforts during the season, Coulthard was awarded his second Hawthorn Memorial Trophy.[42]
McLaren team principalRon Dennis was ambitious about Coulthard's prospects for the new season, saying: "David is extremely fired up. He's strong and wants to test as much as possible. I honestly feel that David can win the world championship this year."[49] Coulthard performed well in the first seven races, scoring forty points, including victories inBrazil andAustria. InCanada, he suffered his first retirement of the season when his car developed engine problems while running in fourth position.[50] Coulthard followed his non-finish with a podium at theNürburgring and by finishing fourth inFrance.[23]
The remaining seven races saw Coulthard retire on three more occasions and achieved four more podium positions—inHungary,Belgium, theUnited States andJapan. Overall, Coulthard secured a career best second place in the Drivers' Championship, 58 points behind World Champion Michael Schumacher.[23] As a result, Coulthard was awarded with his second consecutive Hawthorn Memorial Trophy, and third overall (1998, 2000 and 2001).[42]
The2002 season was the first in which Coulthard was the more experienced driver in his team. He was optimistic for the new season, saying: "If they need an opinion then they have to come to me this year. In the past they didn't. But that said, it's important for me not to get bogged down in the history of what happened in the past. We just have to go forward."[51] He endured a torrid start: Coulthard's car suffered from gearbox issues and retired after 35 laps;[52] and in the following race in Malaysia, both cars retired from engine failure after 24 laps.[53] Two weeks later in theBrazilian Grand Prix, Coulthard secured his first podium of the season with a third-place finish. The start managed to get better as Coulthard took four consecutive finishes inside of the points; this included his only victory of the season inMonaco.[54]
At theCanadian Grand Prix, Coulthard took his second consecutive podium by finishing second.[55] He retired from the next race at theNürburgring due to a collision with Williams driverJuan Pablo Montoya.[56] This marked a turning point as Coulthard managed to finish five out of the next eight races in the points with a non-finish at the final round of the season inJapan. Coulthard finished the season fifth in the Drivers' Championship, with 41 points.[23] Coulthard was awarded his third consecutive Hawthorn Memorial Trophy for his efforts during the 2002 season.[42]
Coulthard was again partnered at McLaren byKimi Räikkönen for 2003. Former World Drivers' ChampionNiki Lauda aired his doubts over Coulthard's ability to handle pressure from teammate Räikkönen over the coming season, saying: "Coulthard has the advantage of experience - as I did over Prost - but in qualifying Räikkönen has put him under a lot of pressure."[57]
Coulthard began the season by taking victory inAustralia and retired inMalaysia when his car developed an electrical problem. He managed to take back-to-back points inBrazil andSan Marino as he was retired from a collision inSpain. In August, Coulthard signed an extension to his contract that would keep him at McLaren until 2004.[58] Coulthard was able to secure two more podium positions inGermany andJapan. Coulthard finished seventh in the Drivers' Championship, scoring 51 points.[23] After the season's conclusion, McLaren announced that Coulthard would be dropped at the end of 2004 and replaced by Juan Pablo Montoya.[59] Coulthard earned his fourth consecutive Hawthorn Memorial Trophy for his efforts during the season.[42]
Coulthard went into the 2004 season with McLaren knowing he would lose his seat at the end of the year. However, he insisted he had his team's backing,[60] and pledged that his approach for 2004 would be more aggressive.[61] He endured a consistent start: Coulthard secured two consecutive points finishes in the opening two races inAustralia andMalaysia, despite being off the pace.[23] During the race inBahrain, both McLaren drivers were forced into retirement due to engine failures after fifty laps.[62] Coulthard did not score in the next four races, which included consecutive retirements inMonaco and at theNürburgring. He was able to take points scoring positions at the next two races inCanada and theUnited States.[23]
McLaren introduced a revised version of their car theMcLaren MP4-19B inFrance.[63] The change of car improved reliability and results, helping Coulthard to achieve sixth place during the Grand Prix, and secured further points in four more races over the course of the season,[23] only suffering from one further non-finish from a collision with Ferrari driverRubens Barrichello inJapan.[64] Overall, Coulthard finished tenth in the Drivers' Championship, equal on points withRalf Schumacher,[65] and did not score any podium finishes during the season.[23]
Following the purchase of the Jaguar team byRed Bull, Coulthard announced on 17 December 2004 that he would move to Red Bull for the2005 season. He signed a one-year deal for a reported £1.8 million to drive alongside Austrian driverChristian Klien.[66] Coulthard was offered a testing role at Ferrari, which he declined as he decided to remain in a race seat.[67]
Coulthard began the season by scoring points in four of the first five races. Before theSan Marino Grand Prix, Klien was replaced by Red Bull test driverVitantonio Liuzzi who partnered Coulthard for the next four races.[68] The forced withdrawal of all teams usingMichelin tyres, including Red Bull, at the controversialUnited States Grand Prix, meant Coulthard did not start a race for the first time in his career.[69] In July, it was announced that Coulthard would remain at Red Bull for 2006.[70] This marked a turning point in his season as Coulthard did not score points in six of the nine remaining races. He achieved points three times during this period—inGermany,Turkey andJapan. He finished the season in twelfth place with Red Bull seventh in the Constructors' Championship.[23]
Coulthard stayed with Red Bull in 2006, and continued to be partnered by Klien. Coulthard started his season by scoring one point in the first six races and retired three times.[23] Coulthard secured Red Bull Racing's first podium position by finishing 3rd inMonaco.[71] He managed to finish in the next ten races he entered which included finishing in the points inCanada, theUnited States andHungary.[23]
In August, it was announced that Coulthard had extended his contract with Red Bull for 2007 and would be partnered by Williams driverMark Webber.[72] Before theChinese Grand Prix, Klien lost his seat at Red Bull, so Coulthard was partnered withRobert Doornbos.[73] Coulthard finished the season by finishing 13th in the Drivers' Championship, with 14 points.[23]
Coulthard continued as a driver at Red Bull in 2007, partnered by Webber. He endured a torrid start in the first three races due to reliability problems and an accident.[74][75][76] He was able to score his first points of the season by taking fifth position inSpain.[77] Coulthard finished outside the points, with consecutive retirements inCanada and theUnited States, before he secured fifth position in theEuropean Grand Prix. In July, it was announced that Coulthard would remain with Red Bull in 2008.[78] Coulthard secured tenth position in the Drivers' Championship, with 14 points.[23]
Coulthard started the season with a retirement after colliding with Ferrari driverFelipe Massa.[79] InMalaysia Coulthard suffered from a suspension failure on his car during practice which resulted in Red Bull placed under investigation for car safety.[80] Coulthard was later cleared to race, and managed to secure 9th.[81] He was unable to score points untilCanada, when he finished on the podium in 3rd. Before theBritish Grand Prix, where he retired on the first lap when he was hit by Toro Rosso driverSebastian Vettel, Coulthard announced that he would retire from Formula One at the end of the season, though he would remain at Red Bull as a testing and development consultant.[82]
Over the next five races, Coulthard was able to finish albeit outside the points-scoring positions. He took the final points of his career with seventh place inSingapore.[83] In his final race inBrazil, Coulthard'sRed Bull RB4 was decorated in the colours of "Wings for Life", a charity dedicated to raising awareness ofspinal cord injuries.[84] He was unable to finish the race, when his car was hit by Williams driverNico Rosberg and Coulthard's car was sent into the path of Rosberg's teammateKazuki Nakajima.[85]
On 4 December 2004, Coulthard participated in his firstRace of Champions for Great Britain alongside 1995 World Rally ChampionColin McRae.[86] Coulthard was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the racing group having taken a time penalty, losing toHeikki Kovalainen. Coulthard and McRae were again chosen to compete in2005, when the event was held inStade de France.[87] Coulthard was eliminated in the first round byTom Kristensen and Great Britain were defeated by France in the semi-finals of the Nations Cup.[88][89] In2006, Coulthard was eliminated in the quarter-finals stage byYvan Muller.[90]
For2007,Alister McRae partnered Coulthard after Colin McRae was killed in a helicopter crash. For the second consecutive year, Coulthard was eliminated at the quarter-final stage, this time bySébastien Bourdais. On 30 October 2008, Coulthard was announced as one of the competitors of the event in2008 forF1 Racing Great Britain, held atWembley Stadium on 14 December.[91] He reached the final of the Drivers' Cup and lost out to World Rally ChampionSébastien Loeb.[92] In2009, Coulthard raced for the All-Stars team alongsideGiniel de Villiers.[93] The pair were eliminated in Group B of the Nations Cup, and Coulthard was defeated in the quarter-finals of the World Finals by Sebastian Vettel.[94]
Coulthard did not participate in2010 and was replaced by BTCC driverJason Plato.[95] Coulthard returned for2011, joining the All-Stars team alongsideFilipe Albuquerque. Neither driver achieved success at the competition.[96] In2012, Coulthard remained in the Race of Champions and returned to compete for Great Britain, partneringAndy Priaulx.[97] The pairing were eliminated in the group stages,[98] with Coulthard being eliminated during the semi-finals by Kristensen in the Drivers' Cup.[99]
For2013, Coulthard was to be partnered by Williams development driverSusie Wolff, the first female competitor in the history of the Race of Champions.[100] However, two weeks before the event was due to take place inBangkok, the Sports Authority of Thailand and Race of Champions organisers announced the event would be cancelled due to political unrest in Thailand.[101] For2014, Coulthard went onto the Nation's Cup with Wolff and the pair reached the final, finishing runner-up to Team Nordic's Tom Kristensen and Petter Solberg. Coulthard then went on to win the Driver's Cup after beatingPascal Wehrlein in the final to claim his first Race of Champions Driver's title. He went on to beat Solberg to win the 2018 Race of Champions.[102]
On 25 November 2008, it was announced that Coulthard would join the BBC as a pundit alongsideJake Humphrey andEddie Jordan for the broadcaster's coverage of Formula One.[103] With the departure of commentatorJonathan Legard at the end of 2010, Coulthard was announced as a co-commentator alongside Brundle, after undergoing successful screen tests.[104] He also writes a regular column forThe Daily Telegraph andBBC Sport.[105][106]
In 2016, Coulthard left the BBC to joinChannel 4 after the BBC abandoned its coverage of Formula One. With Channel 4 he continued to commentate and be a co-presenter of their Formula One coverage. Coulthard co-owns Whisper Films, along with former co-presenterJake Humphrey, and the production company was chosen by Channel 4 to produce its coverage of all of its races.[107] He was offered a presenting role onTop Gear alongside Jordan but turned down the offer because "Channel 4 pulled a blinder".[108]
For the2017 Mexico City ePrix he made a guest appearance as an analyst forChannel 5 coverage.[109] On 10 October 2018, Coulthard was announced as a spokesperson and advisory board member of the forthcomingW Series, a racing championship for women based onFormula 3-homologatedTatuus T-318 chassis.[110] He was also a co-commentator for W Series.[111]
In 2023 he launched a podcast, calledFormula For Success, with his BBC and Channel 4 co-presenterEddie Jordan.[112] The podcasts featured a mix of reactions to current affairs in Formula 1 as well as reminiscing on the past, often with guests from F1's history. Following the announcement of the death of Eddie Jordan on 20 March 2025, the future of the podcast appears unclear.[113]
Following his retirement from Formula 1 withRed Bull in 2008, Coulthard remained contracted with the company as a brand ambassador frequently performing demonstration runs of various Formula 1 cars as part of fan events and promotional materials, including theGoodwood Festival of Speed.[114][115] Coulthard also works as an ambassador for Red Bull's spinal injuries charity Wings For Life, as well as the Swiss watch manufacturerIWC Schaffhausen, the Swiss investment bankUBS and the transportation interior designers Transcal.[116][117][118][119]
On 4 April 2010, Coulthard announced a return to motor racing when he secured a contract to drive forMücke Motorsport and would be partnered byMaro Engel.[120] Coulthard started the season by finishing in the first two races and retired from a collision inLausitz. He managed to secure a further five consecutive finishes, although he did not score points in these races. Coulthard retired on the first lap of the next race at the Hockenheimring when he was involved in a multi-car collision.[121] Coulthard rounded out the season with an eighth-place finish inShanghai.[122] Coulthard finished 16th in the Drivers' Championship, with one point.[23]
On 6 April 2011, it was announced that Coulthard would be retained by Mücke and would once again be partnered by Engel. Coulthard stated at 2010 was his "apprenticeship year" and pledged during 2011, that he would become more competitive.[123] Coulthard started off his season by finishing in the first four races, albeit outside the points-scoring positions. He secured his only points of the year at the fifth race of the season at theNorisring, where he finished 8th.[124] The remainder of the season saw Coulthard finish every race,[23] although he was disqualified from the race atRicardo Tormo as his car's rear wing was found to have been incorrectly mounted during the qualifying session.[125] For the second consecutive year, Coulthard finished 16th in the Drivers' Championship, with one point.[23]
On 29 February 2012, it was announced that Coulthard would once again be retained by Mücke and would be partnered byRobert Wickens.[126] Coulthard finished in the points with 8th position in the opening round held at the Hockenheimring. He did not score points in the next three races, which included a retirement at theRed Bull Ring.[127] He recovered from this to take fifth position in the next round at the Norisring.[128] Before the final race at the Hockenheim, Coulthard announced his retirement from motor racing, citing the reason to spend more time with his family and to concentrate on his co-commentary role with the BBC, as well as managing his off-track businesses.[129] Overall, Coulthard secured fifteenth in the Drivers' Championship, with 14 points.[23]
Coulthard became known for having a smooth driving style. This style allowed him to perform at circuits where chicanes are common. However, this also meant that he was not suited to modern-day circuit configurations where a majority of the corners are taken at a medium-speed.[130]
During his Formula Ford career, Coulthard gained a reputation of performing better at races than during qualifying sessions. The problem became particularly prevalent during 2003, when one-lap qualifying was introduced, in an effort for smaller teams to gain more television exposure.[131] Coulthard became an open vocal opponent of the format, saying: "I just don't like the single-lap qualifying format, I don't think it's right that one lap judges whether you are fast or not."[132]
Coulthard's helmet design is blue and consists of a white saltire on the top which resembles theflag of Scotland and the four tips are trespassed[clarification needed] from the top of the chin area. Coulthard borrowed a helmet belonging to Michael Schumacher for the1996 Monaco Grand Prix as his regular helmet was suffering from steaming up during the weekend.[133] Upon Schumacher's first retirement in 2006, he suggested to Coulthard that he would swap one of his own helmets for one of Coulthard's, which was agreed by Coulthard.[134] For the2007 Japanese Grand Prix, he changed his design to grey with a stylised saltire on the sides of his helmet, as an homage to the late World Rally ChampionColin McRae.[135]
Coulthard has lived for some time inMonaco, and also owns homes inLondon, Belgium and Switzerland.[136] He owns several luxury hotels in Britain and is a former owner of the Columbus Hotel Monaco, which is located in Monaco'sFontvieille.[137]
On 2 May 2000, while he was leasing theLearjet of friendDavid Murray, the aeroplane developed engine trouble en route toCôte d'Azur International Airport inNice and crashed while attempting an emergency landing atLyon-Satolas Airport, France. Coulthard, his then-fiancée theAmerican model Heidi Wichlinski and personal trainer/bodyguard Andy Matthews survived; Murray's personal pilot David Saunders and co-pilot Dan Worley died.[138] Coulthard and Wichlinski ended their engagement before the beginning of the 2001 season, which was followed with a series of inaccurate newspaper reports about alleged affairs with other women.[139]
Coulthard was involved in a four-year relationship with Brazilian model Simone Abdelnour,[140] before ending the relationship in 2005. Coulthard became engaged toKaren Minier, a Belgian Formula One correspondent for French TV channelTF1, on 2 June 2006. The couple married in 2013.[141] Coulthard and Minier had their child on 20 November 2008.[142] Coulthard and Minier divorced in 2022. In January 2025, Coulthard became engaged to Swedish model Sigrid Silversand after two years of dating.[143]
A museum in his home village, Twynholm, was dedicated to Coulthard, but it has now closed. It was previously run by Coulthard's sister Lynsay who died of an overdose of propranolol[144][145] in February 2013.[146] His half sister Elaine had died in her sleep in 2011.[147] Fans in his home village are called "Twynosi" (a cross between Twynholm and the Italian word for "fans",tifosi, as used by Ferrari fans), who gather on race days.[148] In his autobiography, he stated that he had suffered frombulimia as a teenager, caused by the need to lose weight when competing in karting championships.[149] In 2008, Coulthard wasbest man at the wedding of Christian Hughes and actress/presenterAmanda Holden.[150]
Coulthard's second cousin, New ZealanderFabian Coulthard, is also a racing driver,[151] and has won several junior championships. He is currently racing in the AustralianV8 Supercar Championship Series forTeam Sydney.[152] His son, Dayton, is also a racing driver and made hisjunior formulae debut in the2025 GB4 Championship.[153]
Coulthard is an ambassador for the spinal injuries charity Wings For Life.[154] He was appointedMember of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the2010 Birthday Honours for services to motorsport.[155] Coulthard is aMercedes-Benz Brand Ambassador, and was involved with the development of theMercedes-Benz SLS AMG.[156]
(key) (Races inbold indicate pole position in class) (Races initalics indicate fastest lap in class)
| Year | Team | Car | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Overall Pos | Pts | Class Pos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Vauxhall Motorsport | Vauxhall Cavalier | B | OUL | DON | THR | SIL | OUL | SIL | BRH | SNE | BRH ovr:13 cls:7 | BIR | DON | THR | SIL | 33rd | 4 | 21st |
(key) (Races inbold indicate pole position) (Races initalics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Engine | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | DC | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Paul Stewart Racing | Mugen | A | SIL 4 | THR Ret | DON 1 | BRH 1 | BRH 2 | THR 3 | SIL 1 | DON Ret | SIL 7 | SIL 6 | SNE 1 | SIL 3 | BRH 1 | DON 4 | SIL 22 | THR Ret | 2nd | 64 |
(key) (Races inbold indicate pole position) (Racesinitalics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Paul Stewart Racing | Reynard/92D | Judd | SIL 7 | PAU Ret | CAT 8 | PER Ret | HOC Ret | NÜR 7 | SPA 4 | ALB 7 | NOG 3 | MAG 3 | 9th | 11 |
| 1993 | Pacific Racing | Reynard/93D | Ford Cosworth | DON 13 | SIL 2 | PAU 2 | PER 1 | HOC Ret | NÜR 7 | SPA 3 | MAG Ret | NOG Ret | 3rd | 25 | |
| 1994 | Vortex Motorsport | Reynard/94D | Ford Cosworth | SIL 2 | PAU | CAT | PER | HOC | SPA | EST | MAG | 9th | 6 | ||
| Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | TWRJaguar Racing |  John Nielsen David Brabham | Jaguar XJ220 | GT | 306 | DSQ | DSQ |
Source:[159] | |||||||
(key) (Races inbold indicate pole position; races initalics indicate fastest lap)
† Did not finish, but was classified as he had completed more than 90% of the race distance.
(key) (Races inbold indicate pole position) (Races initalics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Pos. | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Mücke Motorsport | AMG-Mercedes C-Klasse 2008 | HOC 12 | VAL 13 | LAU Ret | NOR 13 | NÜR 10 | ZAN 12 | BRH 12 | OSC 14 | HOC Ret | ADR 10 | SHA 8 | 16th | 1 |
| 2011 | Mücke Motorsport | AMG-Mercedes C-Klasse 2008 | HOC 10 | ZAN 16 | SPL 9 | LAU 13 | NOR 8 | NÜR 17 | BRH 12 | OSC 10 | VAL DSQ | HOC 17† | 16th | 1 | |
| 2012 | Mücke Motorsport | AMG-Mercedes C-Klasse Coupé | HOC 8 | LAU 12 | BRH 15 | SPL Ret | NOR 5 | NÜR 20 | ZAN Ret | OSC Ret | VAL 11 | HOC Ret | 15th | 14 | |
† Retired, but was classified as he completed 90% of the winner's race distance
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