Lewis Hamilton would benefit from someone to lean on when going is tough says David Coulthard

The spat between Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa on Sunday was hardly the Thriller in Manila. The only thing missing from the ‘Scrap in Singapore’ was some handbags

I could not imagine a less threatening character than Felipe and I’m sure it will blow over quickly.

Felipe is a nice guy, popular among the drivers, and not the sort to hold a grudge. Believe me, there are some drivers with whom your ties would be forever cut if you received that sort of tap on the shoulder but he is not one of them.

I don’t think Felipe should have done it, certainly not on camera, but I can understand his frustration. He is fighting for his Ferrari seat and the collision during the race, while unfortunate, was certainly Lewis's fault.

But there was no malice at all and it did not need to be blown out of proportion and overshadow what was an interesting race with some fantastic drives from the likes of Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button and Paul di Resta.

What is more interesting is the debate which has developed off the back of that spat, with Lewis’s father, Anthony, stating his view that Formula One drivers need managers who are “personally involved” in their clients’ lives with them at races.

Now, I don’t know the ins and outs of Lewis’s set-up with XIX Entertainment, I can only speak from my own personal experience, but I agree with Anthony’s general point.

In Formula One you are part of a large travelling circus and yet you are often alone. You go from the intense highs and lows of the action on track — the fierce concentration required in the cockpit faced with the ever-present threat of clear and present danger — to the quiet and loneliness of another faceless hotel.

The constant international travel, the different time zones, the length of time you are away, the intensity of the experience; it all adds up.

I employed Martin Brundle as my manager not simply because I’m a Scot and I knew I wouldn’t have to pay him to be at the races because he was there anyway, but because I knew that everything I was going through he had been through as well.

Martin knew how it worked; the engineering side, the media side, who the protagonists were; he understood what I was experiencing on and off the track. We were, and are, friends. That is hugely important.

There are so many distractions in Formula One and it is all about focusing on the bits you need to focus on and relaxing when you can.

Small things can put you off your stride. I spoke with Lewis before the race on Sunday on behalf of a sponsor and he was brilliant; professional, engaging and with that star quality we all know he has.

But beforehand the sponsor wanted to prep me for the interview and tell me which areas to avoid, which areas to mention. I had to stop them and say ‘Don’t worry. I know how this works. I know what he will and will not want to talk about hours before a race.’

If I had been someone who wasn’t well-versed in Formula One, perhaps it would have led to unnecessary tension. I don’t know.

Listen, Lewis’s set-up may well be the best for him and I’m sure he decides how he wants it set up in terms of who accompanies him to races. I’m just saying what worked for me and that was having someone I trusted and knew with me at all times.

It doesn’t have to be a manager necessarily, but for me it must be someone fighting your corner because everyone can be your best friend and do the chest-bumping when the times are good. It is when they aren’t that you need someone to be able to sit down and talk to you with complete honesty. To tell you you’re being an idiot.

Your team are one thing but ultimately their allegiance is to the team. When times are tough what you need is a friend.

Source: The Telegraph

Tom Cruise Jumps Into an F1 Car

Tom Cruise - producer and star of Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol - which opens on December 21, took a break from post-production work to accept an invitation to test drive the Red Bull Racing Formula One car in Southern California on Monday, August 15. David Coulthard, a 13-time grand prix winner and former Red Bull Racing driver, served as Cruise’s instructor for the day with support from a 12-person crew, who flew in from Milton Keynes.

Cruise, an avowed racing fan who has driven various race cars over the years but never a Formula One car, reached a top speed of 181 miles per hour, just four miles per hour off of Coulthard’s top speed, when racing the 850-horsepower car around the 2.5-mile (4km) Willow Springs race track in Rosamond, California.

Cruise completed 24 laps during the seven-hour session, which began with Cruise and Coulthard lapping the track in a passenger car to get familiarized with the racing lines before Coulthard showed Cruise the intricacies of the F1 machine. Between stints on the track, the team went over the car’s telemetry data with Cruise, comparing it to Coulthard’s lap information. Cruise improved on his initial lap time by almost 11 seconds by the final lap.

"Tom's the real deal. I was surprised that he picked it up so quickly and is such an accomplished driver,” said Coulthard. “His recall was incredible considering how complicated driving an F1 car is. He's a guy who really pushes the envelope in real life. This day was not green screened. He thoroughly impressed me."

Tom's the real deal. I was surprised that he picked it up so quickly and is such an accomplished driver.

Formula One returns to America in 2012 after a four-year absence. The United States Grand Prix will be held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, which is currently under construction.

Source: Red Bull

Not even Dennis was surprised over Räikkönen's switch

Kimi Räikkönen's surprising debut in USA:s Nascar-serie took place the same weekend as Spain GP. In spite of that the matter was on the wall even on the F1-paddock.

Ron Dennis is the man who came up with the nickname ’’Iceman’’ for Räikkönen.

How did the former team manager feel about Räikkönen's Nascar-switch?

– Kimi has always liked to do different things and what he himself wants. That's why I'm not at all surprised over what he is doing. He drove quite well rally too. I don't know more about the Nascar-thing except that he went there, Dennis replied.

Räikkönen's physical trainer from Sauber, Josef Leberer, admits that Kimi driving in USA was a pleasant surprise.

– Kimi was a pale and thin guy when he started with us but while he was driving the bike I immediately noticed his body's coordination. At that point I knew that since he has a natural talent to drive fast, the coordination skill will help him no matter where he drives. I'm sure it helps him in Nascar too, Leberer said.

Sebastian Vettel said beforehand that Räikkönen has an exceptional freedom to do whatever he wants and take all the fun out of it.

– Of course I have been completely concentrated on my own weekend but I did look at the results from Charlotte and I was surprised over how well Kimi did. I haven't had time to look into the details. Kimi really is a man who is a maker: no matter what he races with he always makes a *** No swearing *** good job, Vettel praised.

David Coulthard drove with Räikkönen for three years at McLaren.

– I am happy that Kimi has once again found something new. It's good for the F1-sport when a top driver like Kimi can go to rally or USA's ovals and make a good work there too.

– Kimi has shown that whatever he does, he has always made good choices.

Stefano Domenicali doesn't doubt that Räikkönen might become competitive also in USA.

– Maybe it will happen if Kimi feels that it's fun enough. I have to call him and ask how he is doing, Domenicali said.

Turun Sanomat, Barcelona

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Vettel penalty 'was disproportionate' - Marc Gene

Sebastian Vettel should not have been penalised for losing control at Spa-Francorchamps.

That is the opinion of an unlikely supporter of the 23-year-old Red Bull driver: Marc Gene.

Spaniard Gene is Ferrari's occasional test driver, who said the drive-through penalty after Vettel crashed into Jenson Button on Sunday "was totally disproportionate".

"It is true that he was too aggressive, but for there to be a penalty ... he did nothing wrong, it was an incident of the race," Gene wrote in his El Mundo newspaper column.

Niki Lauda's is a harsher critique, predicting that one more mistake for the young German will end his 2010 title chances.

"You're an absolute super-talent but you've taken excessive risks," the former triple world champion wrote in Bild newspaper.

"One more mistake and your world championship will be over. Then you will have to drive for your teammate, which would be the ultimate penalty," said Lauda.

He thinks Vettel is struggling with the pressure.

"You're in the fastest car," Lauda said, addressing Vettel personally. "The pressure can be paralysing, because everyone expects you to be in front and everything else is a disappointment."

Lewis Hamilton, who according to British commentator Martin Brundle is driving better today than in his championship year in 2008, said Vettel's lack of experience is showing.

"The older I get, the more I understand about experience. Mark (Webber) is a very mature man and that definitely helps," said the McLaren driver.

David Coulthard advises his Red Bull successor Vettel to get used to the criticism, observing that "the knives seem to be out for him" now.

"I want to make it clear I am not trying to excuse Sebastian's recent high-profile errors," he wrote in the Telegraph.

"I see a young man who is suffering from his first spell of growing pains," added the veteran of almost 250 races.

"I am not excusing them (the mistakes) - as I have said before, F1 is no finishing school - I'm just saying they are understandable," said Coulthard.

Source: F1 Complete

[Photos] David Coulthard and wife attend Berlin Fashion Show

Coulthard awarded an MBE

Former F1 driver turned TV pundit David Coulthard has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

The 39-year-old Scot began his F1 career in 1994 with Williams as Ayrton Senna's replacement, before moving to McLaren in 1996 and becoming their longest-serving driver.

In 2005 he swapped to Red Bull Racing before hanging up his helmet in 2008, calling it quits on his 15-year career, during which he claimed 13 grand prix victories and finished runner-up in the 2001 World Championship.

"I'm delighted to receive this for my contribution to motorsports," Coulthard told the BBC.

"A big thank you to all those who have helped me. My family, Frank Williams for giving me the first opportunity in F1, Jackie Stewart for his guidance before that.

"Ron Dennis, of course, through my McLaren years, Dieter Mateschitz of Red Bull towards the end of my career and the whole motorsports community because the platform of motor racing has given me this opportunity, so thank you to all."

Source: Planet F1

Seb and Mark are made Wings For Life Ambassadors

Our two F1 drivers were unveiled as ambassadors for the spinal cord research foundation Wings For Life this afternoon.

In the Energy Station, in the Paddock of the Circuit de Catalunya, the pair were welcomed by Heinz Kinigadner - the man who established the charity with Red Bull CEO Dietrich Mateschitz – as representatives of the foundation.

It means our two drivers join former F1 stars David Coulthard, Gerhard Berger, Philippe Streiff and Base jumper Felix Baumgartner in publicly supporting Wings For Life.

Something Sebastian has already done for some time.

He said: “I am very proud to have been made an ambassador. Through my friendship with Heinz, and his son Hannes who has been bound to a wheelchair since a serious motocross crash in 2003, I have become involved with Wings for Life. The very manner of how the two handle their fate constantly impresses me. I believe in the important work of the foundation to make paraplegia curable.”

Mark said his own accident over a year ago made him appreciate more the need for care when recuperating. He said: “My injury was very minor, but it demonstrated that you need the right infrastructure around you. I’m looking forward to making a difference and it’s a great thing to have been asked to be a Wings For Life ambassador.”

For more information on the foundation and its mission to find a cure for spinal cord injusry, visit the Wings For Life website.

Source: Red Bull

[Video] Coulthard's exhibition in Colombia

Scotsman David Coulthard got behind the wheel of a F1 again this weekend. The driver has performed in an exhibition with Red Bull in the city of Bogota, capital of Colombia.

Retired from F1 since 2007, has raced from Plaza de Bolivar, near Casa de Narino, presidential residence, through the Setima Avenida, a straight avenue of 1.2 km, until the 18th avenida.

Source: Tazio
Translation from Portuguese: Fran

DC: F1 is not a finishing school

David Coulthard has come to the defence of Ferrari over their attack on some of the new teams that were given entries into this year's Championship.

Ferrari last month slammed the FIA over the standard of teams that have been allowed to enter the sport.

Campos Meta and USF1 were given the green light to be on the 2010 grid, but both struggled to come up with enough money. Campos appear to have sorted out their problems, but USF1 have been forced to withdraw due to financial woes.

Coulthard believes Ferrari were pretty much spot on, saying "Formula One is not a finishing school".

"I have heard a lot in recent months about how great it is to have 'fresh blood' in the sport," he wrote in The Telegraph. "And I noted with interest the criticism levelled at Ferrari for the scathing editorial published on their website last month, when they belittled the "small teams" entering F1.

"Well, I have to admit, I have some sympathy with Ferrari's point of view.

"Formula One is not a finishing school. Either you come prepared, or prepare to fail. This is the pinnacle of world motorsport. It's no use them bleating about the fact that the goalposts moved after they joined under a £40 million budget cap. The Formula One Teams' Association never signed up to that cap.

"Fresh blood is all well and good but I would argue that the carry-on we have seen over the past few months has been a poor advertisement for F1. First it was going to be four new teams, then Bernie Ecclestone admitted he thought only two of them would make it. Then USF1 collapsed and died, along with the reputations of Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor, who cried wolf so many times.

"Finally we are left with three new outfits - Virgin Racing, Lotus and Hispania Racing - although the last of these launched only last week following a last-minute change of ownership and has never turned a wheel in testing.

"Has the world gone mad? F1 is a dangerous sport at the best of times but asking teams to just turn up at practice on a Friday before a race is plain irresponsible.

"For a team who have been up and running for years it is difficult enough to pass the stringent FIA crash tests while accumulating adequate miles to prove the integrity of parts which are not required to be tested; for instance suspension parts, which as a reminder to all keep the wheels attached to the car."

Source: Planet F1

Coulthard: "Hamilton will have upper hand"

Jenson Button is not likely to keep up with his new teammate Lewis Hamilton in the opening part of the 2010 season.

That is the admission of Button's friend and former rival David Coulthard, who previously rebuked commentators' claims that Hamilton will blow away the 2009 world champion this season.

After experiencing seating position problems at Valencia last week, Button trailed Hamilton's pace at Valencia as the pair got their first taste of the new MP4-25.

The situation seemed to play out fears that Button walked into the lion's den by switching from Brawn to McLaren.

"I'd expect Lewis to have the upper hand in the early part of the year," former long time McLaren driver Coulthard is quoted as saying by the Mirror.

"But it's a great chance for Jenson to show he's a great driver and a worthy champion," the Scot added.

Source: F1 Complete