Formula One news

British drivers will miss Coulthard

On Thursday afternoon David Coulthard announced his retirement from Formula 1. The Red Bull driver will continue to advise the Red Bull F1 team in the future but will finish his career as an F1 race driver at the end of this season. His country fellows Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button will miss him next season they said.

"In a way for sure I am disappointed," said Button when asked how he feels about Coulthard's retirement. "If you look at David's career he has achieved a lot and a lot more that most drivers will ever achieve in their F1 career. I have also always got on well with DC since 2000. We have been pretty good friends around the paddock but also away from the circuit. I will miss him at the races for sure but I'm also happy for him that he has made the decision to do something else next year. It is nice when you can make that decision yourself and find something else that can take up your time. Obviously, he has a beautiful fiancée to look after also."

Lewis Hamilton has known Coulthard since the McLaren driver was guided by Ron Dennis in his karting career. "I'm sad to see him go," Hamilton said about DC's retirement. "I've known David for quite a long time. I remember our discussions before I even got to Formula One. I think I was probably still in karting when I first started to speak to David and he was giving me advice.

"It's going to be a shame to see him go because he's always been one of the coolest characters in the pit lane and, as you can see, after such a long period of time, he's still here, pushing very hard. He's had a great finish in Red Bull recently and has been one to push Red Bull to where they are today. For me, he's an inspiration for all of us drivers here and he's such a good example. But for sure, as he said, he's going to stay around, so this won't be the last time we see him. I just wish him all the best for the future with his lovely fiancée. As Jenson said, she is lovely. I did try to take her from you but with no… there was no way."

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