Coulthard rates new car
David Coulthard declared his first taste of Red Bull’s 2006 car a success after a private test session at Silverstone.
The Scotsman was given the honour of being the first man to drive the new Ferrari-powered car, the first all-Red Bull machine.
He carried out a handful of laps around the Northamptonshire circuit to complete system checks prior to the car’s official launch in March.
Coulthard, who will partner Christian Klien next season, was pleased with his first run and excited by his chance to push harder in another session tomorrow.
He said: “Testing the new car today was momentous, as it represents something completely new for the team.
“The engine was delivered from Italy, but then everything has been built around it, and this was the moment when all the newly-created parts came together.
“In terms of driving experience, the car performed as expected on track and I’m looking forward to putting it through its paces tomorrow and throughout next year to see what it can do.
“As soon as you drive a new car you have a new toy to play with, so the old one quickly becomes very uninteresting.”
Coulthard does not expect testing to go entirely smoothly but revealed he relishes the chance to fine-tune the first car built entirely under Red Bull ownership.
He added: “Testing a new car can be frustrating at times, as you’re finding out if the new designs are able to withstand intense vibrations and heat.
“However, when everything works well, it’s incredibly rewarding so it will be good to get back in the car tomorrow.
“It must be a very proud moment for everyone in the team, as they’ve each played a part in creating something new here.”
