242 replies to this topic

[pacificquay]

http://news.bbc.co.u...ers/7487186.stm

He's had his critics, but DC has had a lot of fun over the past 14 years, has a career record better than the vast majority of drivers and survived a plane crash.

Hopefully he will find a role with the BBC's commentary team - he's always been someone who's had something entertaining to say.

[Bart]

Always seemed fairly likely as Red Bull want to get Vettel (who's good, but not "the heir to Michael Schumacher" as some people paint him) into the car. Although I've been a DC fan since he started in F1, I'd be surprised if anyone honestly thinks F1 would have been better without his humour and some of his astounding race drives. Sadly though, many people will probably remember him as "that guy who hit the wall at the pit entrance in Adelaide".

[NineOneSeven]

Truly a end of a era.

We'll see what David has to say at the British GP. I hope he goes on to race Le Mans or something equally interesting if he indeed intend to retire.

I dare say Rubens may go too. Its a shame.

Speedcar may await ;) (joke)

[PNSD]

Ill remember him for Adelaide,but no the pit entrance ( as I completley forgot ! ) but rather the Adelaide Hairpin ;)

[Hacklerf]

If this is true, it is a sad, sad day for F1, to loose the greatest and most successful British driver of all time

[Owen]

Originally posted by PNSD
Ill remember him for Adelaide,but no the pit entrance ( as I completley forgot ! ) but rather the Adelaide Hairpin ;)

hehe indeed.

[Orin]

It will be sad to see DC go, he was always an interesting interviewee and provided some great moments, one of my favourites was the first US GP, as he and Schumacher speared toward T1 with brakes on, wheels locked and smoke pouring off the front tyres, the crowd were on their feet roaring their support, the noise coming through the TV was phenomenal!

Funnily enough I can't envision him as a great pundit, I think he will be too stiff, there's much less scope for nipple-tweaking when you're one of the broadcasting team.

[Coral]

I always liked David Coulthard and of course he is Scottish, but I wish he had been more successful. He seemed to promise much but he ultimately failed to deliver (in my opinion). Maybe he was just too nice.

I'll certainly miss watching him in F1.

[Frans]

If this is true, it is a sad, sad day for F1, to loose the greatest and most successful British driver of all time

I would say; Finally F1 got rid of that Legohead...... phew, ...

[Rosemayer]

Originally posted by Frans




I would say; Finally F1 got rid of that Legohead...... phew, ...

You kinda mean like Jos?

[Hacklerf]

Originally posted by Frans




I would say; Finally F1 got rid of that Legohead...... phew, ...

Just coz your jelaous, all these looking at such a sharply cut jaw can do that to a man

[Tuxy]

I'll miss the guy, he grew on me after he left McLaren.

[osoul]

Finally a smart decision by him. Should have done it in 2004.

[Hacklerf]

Brundle & DC for BBC commentary would be magic

[Andy Davies]

Originally posted by Hacklerf
Brundle & DC for BBC commentary would be magic

But who would play the straight man?

[mursuka80]

Originally posted by Bart
Always seemed fairly likely as Red Bull want to get Vettel (who's good, but not "the heir to Michael Schumacher" as some people paint him) into the car. Although I've been a DC fan since he started in F1, I'd be surprised if anyone honestly thinks F1 would have been better without his humour and some of his astounding race drives. Sadly though, many people will probably remember him as "that guy who hit the wall at the pit entrance in Adelaide".

Ill remember him as a guy who had the potential,but didnt have the mind to be WDC plus he was a good No2 to finnish drivers ;)

[Hacklerf]

Originally posted by Andy Davies


But who would play the straight man?

James Allen................oh

[pacwest]

Originally posted by Hacklerf
If this is true, it is a sad, sad day for F1, to loose the greatest and most successful British driver of all time

There are two things wrong with this sentence.

But I won't debate that, I'll just say that at the Canadian Grand Prix everyone in the crowd stood when he went by on the cool down lap and cheered him on. We all knew. I'm glad I got to see him drive.

I sincerely hope he gets a crack at being colour man on the telly. But I'm not sure they can pay him enough.

Thanks for the thrills DC.

[glorius&victorius]

Originally posted by Andy Davies


But who would play the straight man?

[glorius&victorius]

I wish to retract my words: indeed the end of an era:

---- 2006 Malaysia GP ---
David Coulthard lived up to his reputation as one of a dying breed of playboy racing drivers in Malaysia today when he compared driving in the sultry heat of Malaysia to having sex in a sauna.
Asked during a routine pre-race news conference at the Sepang circuit about how it felt to drive a Formula One car in high humidity and temperatures of more than 33 degrees Celsius, the Scot gave a typically succinct reply.

"It's like having to do some physical exercise in a sauna, effectively, and unless it was having sex, I cannot imagine why anyone would want to do anything in a sauna," said Coulthard.

When the conference moderator interjected, saying that he always "brought it down to that" Coulthard, who has had a series of model girlfriends.

"We're all here because of that aren't we - so I think it is a natural action between, normally a man and a lady, but sometimes."

As laughter spread, the moderator interjected again. "Stop there". Are there any other analogies that anyone else can give us?" he said, and the interview swerved off course into more traditional and serious motor racing territory.
----

[dank]

Been confirmed at RBR that DC will retire at the end of the season.

[Galko877]

Official now: http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/68798

[D A]

Originally posted by glorius&victorius
I wish to retract my words: indeed the end of an era:

---- 2006 Malaysia GP ---
David Coulthard lived up to his reputation as one of a dying breed of playboy racing drivers in Malaysia today when he compared driving in the sultry heat of Malaysia to having sex in a sauna.
Asked during a routine pre-race news conference at the Sepang circuit about how it felt to drive a Formula One car in high humidity and temperatures of more than 33 degrees Celsius, the Scot gave a typically succinct reply.

"It's like having to do some physical exercise in a sauna, effectively, and unless it was having sex, I cannot imagine why anyone would want to do anything in a sauna," said Coulthard.

When the conference moderator interjected, saying that he always "brought it down to that" Coulthard, who has had a series of model girlfriends.

"We're all here because of that aren't we - so I think it is a natural action between, normally a man and a lady, but sometimes."

As laughter spread, the moderator interjected again. "Stop there". Are there any other analogies that anyone else can give us?" he said, and the interview swerved off course into more traditional and serious motor racing territory.
----

Only a part of that made it into the official transcript. http://www.formula1....006/3/4108.html

[Perigee]

Originally posted by dank
Been confirmed at RBR that DC will retire at the end of the season.

I'll try to make certain I'm having a **** when they hand him his gold wristwatch and 'Sorry you're leaving' card.

[Hacklerf]

DC confirms he is to retire

[Man of the race]

This gives his recent podium a nice edge - but maybe he will have another one yet.

DC has always been a character

[lukywill]

Originally posted by Hacklerf
Brundle & DC for BBC commentary would be magic

so next year will be his year after all!

[SeanValen]

After the 2003 rule changes, he did alot alot of his consistency in qualifying, he had a work ethic to tinker with the car all up to the end, no more race warm ups, then u had one lap quali, now fuel quali, no set up changes on race day no more, I think these rules started his decline, but he kept at it.

But forgeting the driver, he was a good respresentative for British fans, always a laugh, some of his battles with Schumacher were refreshingly different to Hakkinen and gave alot of good moments.

Time has flown, it's ashame Redbull isn't up there, but after Mclaren it's been a different career, but he got blessed with gettiing a williams seat starting off and many years in competitive Mclarens, so he had a decent chance, more so then many drivers.


Also he's a vetran, were losing another matured driver, 2 years after Schumacher's retirement, DC and MS did alot for safety, DC's role in the GPDA was born out of the era ending of Senna's death alongisde MS, they took it more seriously then many do now.

Enjoy your retirement DC.

Originally posted by Man of the race
This gives his recent podium a nice edge - but maybe he will have another one yet.

DC has always been a character

Rubens will I think be the only driver left now spanning more eras in f1, once he retires, then that's the last of the great links.

[Owen]

Originally posted by dank
Been confirmed at RBR that DC will retire at the end of the season.

Only retiring from racing in F1. Sounds like he may continue in some kind of advisory role. Jackie Stewart's first 'driver coach'? :

[Ricardo F1]

Sad day, but it had to come. Great driver, great fighting spirit, if fate had gone in a different direction he could have been a multiple WDC. I will miss DC greatly - and so will F1.

[britishtrident]

A true ambassador for his sport and his country - much in common in that respect with his fellow scots Clark, Stewart and McNish.

[LuckyStrike1]

Thank you for everything David Coulthard - a refreshing driver who always was honest and spoke well and raced hard. DC will be missed by me at least! A good way to retire too.

[dank]

Originally posted by Owen


Only retiring from racing in F1. Sounds like he may continue in some kind of advisory role. Jackie Stewart's first 'driver coach'? :

Great for Red Bull though. They get to use his knowledge and expertise gained over the years whilst also giving Vettel a chance in the 'A-Team'.

[SirSaltire]

Originally posted by Perigee

I'll try to make certain I'm having a **** when they hand him his gold wristwatch and 'Sorry you're leaving' card.

Get a life.

[Rinehart]

I hope 2 things now happen.

1. BBC sign him up to the commentary booth from next season.
2. He admits he 'lift' tested MS in the rain at Spa.

[Ricardo F1]

Originally posted by Rinehart
He admits he 'lift' tested MS in the rain at Spa.

Didn't he already say he shouldn't have slowed on the racing line or words to that effect? If you're trying to suggest he should admit to attempting to have Schumacher crash then that I don't think will ever happen because it's not true.

[Hyatt]

byebye DC ... miss you already

[Dave Ware]

A classy farewell from a classy guy. I hope he wins Le Mans in some future year.

[D.M.N.]

I hope he has some good drives towards the end of the season for Red Bull. Let's hope rain does good for DC this weekend. Don't count out win number 14 for DC yet.........

[glorius&victorius]

I loved his press statement! Very classy!

[BuonoBruttoCattivo]

Crap driver, not rapid and inconsistent.
Waste of an F1 seat.
Although an excellent backup to Hakkinen's titles.

[F1Johnny]

Originally posted by BuonoBruttoCattivo
Crap driver, not rapid and inconsistent.
Waste of an F1 seat.
Although an excellent backup to Hakkinen's titles.

See, I just don't get this sentiment. DC a crap driver? Seriously?

I know you don't like the guy, but looking at it dispassionately you really think DC has been a waste of an F1 seat. So Frank, Ron and Christian are a set of idiots that he duped into paying him lots of money (maybe not FW) to drive for them.

[F1Johnny]

Happy Retirement DC.

[SirSaltire]

Originally posted by Hacklerf
If this is true, it is a sad, sad day for F1, to loose the greatest and most successful British driver of all time

Although I have always been a fan of DC I certainly wouldn't go that far!
What I can say is

DC - Highest number of points scored for a british driver.
DC - 4th Highest points scorer of all time.
DC - 4th Highest in podium places

He has his faults and he has his detracters but facts are facts.

[One]

I guess I can say that I met a lot of girls who loved DC more than any other raing driver. I am sure they will wither be happy or miss him, depending on how and where they live.

I can say that I got good smile at his first season but later on he impressed me with his consistency.

Was great to see him manouver also on journo talks.

I say I cheer him ending his carrier in this way, very styleful, not a easy thing to do for everyone. He is certainly succeeded in making a great impression.

DC have not got WDC, but he got 13 win, 230 races to day...


I can say yhis time, Congraturation DC!

[d246]

With him going and only Reubens left I suddenly feel very old. Time to take up reading MotorSport.....

His wit will be missed both in the paddock and on TV screens. On his his day he could beat the best.

Shame slicks are comming back next year, I bet he wishes they hadn't disappeared 11 or so years ago.

[Hacklerf]

Originally posted by d246


Shame slicks are comming back next year, I bet he wishes they hadn't disappeared 11 or so years ago.

Oh my god, i didn't realise it was so long ago! seems like yesterday Schumi was running with Goodyear's on the Ferrari!

[noikeee]

I think he'll be missed more outside of the track than on the track. His statements/press conferences were much more interesting to read than pretty much all of the other drivers, although he has started to say a lot of stupid stuff as well. At least he had a sense of humour.

As a driver, personally I was never a fan, and I think he's starting to look not quick enough for the job anymore.

Highest points of his career: showing promise at the end of 1995 as a threat to team-mate and world championship contender Damon Hill, beating Mika Hakkinen at certain periods at McLaren (specially 2001, where he finished vice-champion), and making a minor comeback to convincing performances in a midfield Red Bull car in 2005. Plus a couple of great Monaco GP weekends.

Overall, David Coulthard was a driver that got a fairly lucky break to get into a top seat at the start of his career, after a while shown lots of potential and seemed to justify the confidence that Frank Williams and Ron Dennis put in him, but despite having good/great cars for the majority of his career (which reflects on his stats), he could never find his best form at the times it mattered.

[Sébastien]

Originally posted by Tuxy
I'll miss the guy, he grew on me after he left McLaren.

Same here, I particulary disliked his 1998 Spa antics but after he left McLaren he kind of developed into a real human being, very likeable at times.

I hope he replaces Brundle next year.

Still Adelaide 1995 is how many will remember him.

Happy retirement DC

[lustigson]

I'm sad to see David Coulthard go. He's been in the sport for a long time, and apart from his final years, on the highest level.

13 Grand Prix victories gives him shared 13th in the all-time list, with Alberto Ascari. 12 Poles sees him tie with Berger and Massa in 28th, while the Scot's 533 points (to date) gives him an all-time 4th, only behind greats like Schumacher, Prost and Senna.

Goodbye DC, all the best.