wayno
06-07-2005, 01:35 PM
Two-time British Grand Prix winner David Coulthard has re-signed for the Red Bull Racing team for 2006.
The British ace, who had been linked to a seat with the BAR-Honda team to replace Jenson Button should he go to Williams, will stay on as team leader as Red Bull switches to factory-spec V8 Ferrari engines next year.
Coulthard, who signed the deal during last weekend's French Grand Prix, said: "It's been a very positive new experience working with Red Bull Racing.
"The potential of the team is obvious and it made perfect sense to continue our partnership. Since I started last December, the progress we have made has been remarkable.
"I'm looking forward to contributing to the development of the RB2 with the Ferrari engine and enjoying success with Red Bull Racing."
Coulthard looked set to be left on the sidelines this season after being dumped by McLaren at the end of 2005.
He took a gamble on Red Bull when it bought Jaguar Racing and rode the wave of criticism that followed.
But now he and team principal Christian Horner say it is obvious why Red Bull was the right move all along.
"David has clearly demonstrated that he's still one of the top drivers in F1," said Horner.
"He's played a vital part in Red Bull racing's on track credibility so far this season.
"It was therefore a very easy and natural decision to extend our agreement for 2006 and retain him as our lead driver."
Fantastic news I think. I'll admit I've never been a great DC admirer in the past, but I think the job he has done this year has been awesome. He has done well against his team mates, has had some stellar results and has always been articulate and a voice of reason in the press from what I've seen (even when it seemed the team didn't really want him for nest season).
If I was picking a man of the year for f1 at the moment then David would be very close to the top of my list.
The British ace, who had been linked to a seat with the BAR-Honda team to replace Jenson Button should he go to Williams, will stay on as team leader as Red Bull switches to factory-spec V8 Ferrari engines next year.
Coulthard, who signed the deal during last weekend's French Grand Prix, said: "It's been a very positive new experience working with Red Bull Racing.
"The potential of the team is obvious and it made perfect sense to continue our partnership. Since I started last December, the progress we have made has been remarkable.
"I'm looking forward to contributing to the development of the RB2 with the Ferrari engine and enjoying success with Red Bull Racing."
Coulthard looked set to be left on the sidelines this season after being dumped by McLaren at the end of 2005.
He took a gamble on Red Bull when it bought Jaguar Racing and rode the wave of criticism that followed.
But now he and team principal Christian Horner say it is obvious why Red Bull was the right move all along.
"David has clearly demonstrated that he's still one of the top drivers in F1," said Horner.
"He's played a vital part in Red Bull racing's on track credibility so far this season.
"It was therefore a very easy and natural decision to extend our agreement for 2006 and retain him as our lead driver."
Fantastic news I think. I'll admit I've never been a great DC admirer in the past, but I think the job he has done this year has been awesome. He has done well against his team mates, has had some stellar results and has always been articulate and a voice of reason in the press from what I've seen (even when it seemed the team didn't really want him for nest season).
If I was picking a man of the year for f1 at the moment then David would be very close to the top of my list.