Exclusive Interview with David Coulthard

By Ian Lockwood
March 12 2005

A Candid Interview with DC as he speaks about his new team, how it differs from Mclaren and what he believes the future holds. Reproduced with kind permission from our friends at www.f1grandprix.it, Fabrizio Corgnati speaks exclusively to DC.

What are your impressions after the first race with your new team?
It's definitely a different environment. There's a real sense of being part of the Red Bull family and their philosophy is to 'do it the Red Bull way'. Red Bull as a company has enjoyed tremendous success in a relatively short space of time and the management philosophy in Salzburg is very different to that in Woking. McLaren has proved itself as an F1 team so it's not to say that one approach is right and the other wrong, they're just different. I am enjoying being part of the Red Bull team, I find that I am very much part of the decision making process in terms of how and why we do things which I am enjoying. I am one of the most experienced members of the team in terms of F1 and I appreciate the fact that my opinion is valued and taken on board at every level. I think a new challenge brings out the best in most motivated people. The mood in the team is motivated, committed, enthusiastic; We just want to get out there and get on with the job of racing and developing the team, the car and the people.

There is a pretty big difference between Red Bull and McLaren, isn't it?
I don't really think it's constructive to compare one with the other because you are not comparing like with like. McLaren is a long established team with victories and championships to their credit, many of which I have been part of. Red Bull Racing is in the first year of a long F1 career and comparisons with established teams really don't make sense. We will measure our success against the goals we set ourselves and in years to come I hope you will be asking other drivers, "how does it feel to have driven for the hugely successful Red Bull Racing team?" Everyone seems to think that there must be a huge difference between working with McLaren and working with Red Bull Racing. That's not the case. The job is fundamentally the same. You have a team of people, a set of rules, finite resources and you work to build a package from those components. The rest of the season is spent racing, developing and optimising the package that you have put together.

How did you go on with Klien and Liuzzi? Which of the two would you prefer as a team mate?
They're both good guys to work with and they get on exceptionally well together. We've spent some time training together which is unusual for me, in the past it's always just been me and a trainer, and I've enjoyed being in their company. I really don't mind who's in the other car. I know that both Christian and Tonio will work hard to achieve our goals so, in whatever capacity they end up participating, I'm looking forward to working with them both this year.

Which impressions did you get from the team owner, Mateschitz?
I have met with him a few times and found him to be friendly, committed and professional. He clearly has tremendous vision, a fact evidenced by what he’s done with the Red Bull brand in a relatively short space of time and I look forward to working with him.

Some people criticise you because, even if you always raced with top cars, you were never able to challenge the world title. What can you reply to them?
I know that I have the ability and the experience to make a positive contribution to any team on the grid. I'm quicker than most of the guys out there, I've won more races, scored more points and sprayed more champagne from the podium than anyone else out there except Michael. I love to race, it's what I do, so until I don't want to do it anymore, I'll continue.

What can you expect from your first season with Red Bull?
My goals are to give my maximum commitment and effort to Red Bull Racing and work with everyone toward making the team a success. Our immediate objectives are to show that we can operate a well-run, professional operation and to outperform expectations. This season is very much a year in which the foundations will be laid for the future of Red Bull Racing. Our goal is to ensure that those foundations are solid enough to support the success that the team will strive for and achieve in seasons to come.We set quite a good base for that in Melbourne.

Who has the most chances to win the next Formula 1 Championship, in your opinion?
Who’s going to be champion? I have no idea. Given the run of play over the last few seasons you’d be a brave man to bet against Michael, but I’m not really a betting man and I’m not a clairvoyant so as far as predictions go – I can’t really give you much insight.

Interviewed by Fabrizio Corgnati for F1GrandPrix.co.uk