David Coulthard

David Coulthard can be called the grand-daddy of the modern Formula1 racing circuit. He is the veteran of over 14 years of the circuit and his longevity can be attributed to his skill and determination that has been unfazed despite so many years at the top level. DC, as he is known, is still as hungry as ever even though he might not be as sprightly as he was at one time.

He started off his career in Karting, in 1982, and for about 6 years, he dominated the scene becoming the Karting scene. He won everything there was to win by becoming the Scottish champion 3 times, becoming the Scottish Open Cup champion on 2 occasions and winning the British Super 1 Junior Championship as well.

In 1989, he continued his dominance into the FF1600 Championships as he won the Juniors' category. He got a third place in the Brand Hatch Formula Ford Festival in the same season. He joined Paul Stewart Racing Team (PSR), in the GM Lotus Team. He drove in the British Vauxhall Lotus Series and also in the GM Lotus Euro Series. Although he didn't have any result of note in those two championships, he did get his hands on the 'McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year' award. His biggest moment however was the testing that he did in the McLaren-Honda MP4/5 Formula One race car.

He turned to F3 racing in 1990 and that move paid rich dividends as he came second overall in the British F3 championships. He also took part in the European Marlboro Masters of F3 and the Macau Grand Prix and won both titles. He took 5 victories in the British Series and thus made 1991 a memorable year.

In '92, DC got the chance he had been waiting for. He became a test driver for the Benetton-Ford outfit while he continued to race for the PSR team at the Formula 3000 level. He was gaining more exposure to the Formula1 car and that is exactly what was needed for David as he inched ever closer to the Formula1 car.

He took part in the Le-Mans 24 hour race with the Jaguar team, in 1993 and also participated in Formula 3000 with the PSR team, getting a third place finish in the latter. His testing experience in Formula1 continued as he worked with the Williams-Renault team. He spent 1994 as the test driver for the Williams-Renault team and was also voted as the Scottish Sports Personality of the Year as well as the ITV Young Sports Personality of the Year for 1994.

He made his Formula One debut in 1994 after a major tragedy struck the Williams-Renault team. At the Imola circuit, in 1994, three-time World Champion, Ayrton Senna, crashed into the concrete wall at over 250 kmph. Senna died on his way to the medical centre but one man's loss became another man's gain, as DC was the next man in the queue for the F1 seat. He took part in just the last 8 races of the season and finished 8th overall, with 14 points and one podium finish.
Although he got just 8 races in 1994, he impressed enough to get a full season for 1995. David didn't let his team down. Although he was not as prolific as the man he had replaced, Senna, he did do his bit by finishing the season with 49 points that included one race win and 8 podium finishes, on his way to third place in the drivers' standings.

His third place prompted Ron Dennis to bring in the Scotsman to the McLaren team, alongside his main weapon, Mika Hakkinen. The two drivers were destined for great things in a relationship that was to last many years, especially for DC.

Hakkinen and Coulthard went out together in 1996 and began repair work on the British Constructor's title aspirations. DC ended the first year at McLaren with just 17 points but things were about to change for him.

For the next four years, Coulthard remained a strong contender for the drivers' title although he never really got there, he was always near-about with his strong and composed drives. He came third in the 1997 season, behind champion Jenson Button and Michael Schumacher. DC also won his first race for McLaren in the same season as he took first place at Australia and then at the Imola circuit.
In 1998, the duo of the Finn and the Scotsman together beat Michael Schumacher to the title. Although he just finished with the season with 1 victory, his support helped Hakkinen pip Schumi to the title in a number of thrilling battles. Hakkinen retired from Formula One following his win and that left DC as the main man for the Woking-based outfit. Coulthard seemed to draw strength from his leadership role. He finished 1999 at 4th place and had two more wins to add to his total.

In 2000, things got more interesting as he finished the season with 73 points that included 3 wins and 11 podium finishes, bagging him the third place overall. In 2001, DC got his best ever standings in the title race as he finished second to the incredible Michael Schumacher. He managed 2nd spot with just 2 wins and 10 podium finishes.

That was to be the last of his strong seasons as things began to roll downwards thereafter. In 2002, David finished in 5th place whereas in 2003, he only managed a 7th spot in the drivers' standings. Although he did win a race in each season, it wasn't looking too bright as he hit rock bottom in 2004, with a 10th place finish to his season.

This left him with no choice but to give way for newer talent at the British team and move to Red Bull Racing. His three seasons with Red Bull Racing have been fruitful for the Austrian company as they have gained a lot in terms of expertise and experience in the form of DC. He's finished 12th , 13th and 10th for the Austrian team in 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively, notching up a podium finish as well in 2006.

In 2008, DC will continue for the Red Bull team alongside Mark Webber although he might be considering retirement at some point. That said, it is without doubt that David Coulthard is still a strong driver and anyone who has tried to pass his Red Bull car on the track would be testimonial to that fact.