Coulthard eyes race wins
David Coulthard believes he can win races with Red Bull next season thanks to Ferrari power.
The Scotsman this week agreed a one-year contract to stay with the new team after an impressive season has seen him fighting for podium finishes.
He made a stunning start to life with Red Bull, running second in race one at Melbourne before just missing out on a podium while at the Nurburgring he led the team’s first laps but a penalty robbed him of third place.
Red Bull have used customer Cosworth engines this year, which are accepted as being amongst the least powerful on the grid, but for 2006 they have Ferrari power and Coulthard believes that gives him the chance of adding to his 13 victories.
“It is not beyond the realms of possibility,” he said.
“It has been possible this year to get the car on to the podium, genuine podium positions.
“In other races we have picked up fortunate points but to pick up fortunate points you need to get the car to the finish, that’s part of grand prix racing.
“I don’t think we can make statements that we will start the year with the car and will be expecting a grand prix victory but of course it’s possible.”
Red Bull’s success so far this season – which has brought home 22 points – has convinced Coulthard the team are more serious than a “marketing exercise“.
The soft drink giant bought the struggling Jaguar team to boost their profile but under Christian Horner’s leadership they have surprised many with their performances – and Coulthard believes they have the infrastructure to rival the major players.
He said: “It is very clear it is more than just a marketing exercise, it is a very major investment in the team.
“There is the Ferrari engine which is not one of the cheaper options available to the team and the new wind tunnel. The wind tunnel is comparable to BAR and Williams – the team wants success and I want to be part of it.”
Coulthard revealed he never hesitated to re-sign with Red Bull when the deal was offered, despite other options.
The 34-year-old was believed to be on BAR’s wanted list to replace Jenson Button should he move to Williams but Coulthard was quick to end any speculation by committing to Red Bull.
“Inevitably it’s part of the business of Formula One that Christian and Red Bull would know who was available for next year and it’s part of [manager] Martin Brundle’s job to know what’s out there.
“The decision to stay here for this year was very, very straightforward, the difficult decision in many ways was to join the team in the winter when there was so much uncertainty.”
Red Bull boss Horner may have been quick to sign up Coulthard for next season but he will bide his time before deciding who will partner the former Williams and McLaren driver.
Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi have alternated the driver’s role this season but Horner confirmed that policy will end for next year.
He will wait until the end of the season to decide who will become Coulthard’s permanent partner but has promised Liuzzi another chance to race despite being replaced by Klien in Canada after four up-and-down races.
Horner said: “We will use the rest of this year to evaluate them and decide at the end of the year who will partner David next year, but it won’t be on a rotation basis.
“Vitantonio will probably get another opportunity later in the season. Christian is going to be in the car up to and including Hungary and we will make a decision from there.”
