Coulthard to retire at end of year

David Coulthard, at 37 the oldest driver in Formula One, has announced that he will retire at the end of the season.

David Coulthard will bring the curtain down on his F1 career at the end of the season.
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SILVERSTONE // David Coulthard has finally ended speculation about his future by announcing he will retire from Formula One at the end of the season. The popular Scot is the oldest current driver at the age of 37 after 14 years in the sport. But as he approaches his 237th race at the British Grand Prix on Sunday, the Red Bull Racing driver has confessed the time is right to bow out. He said: "Nothing lasts forever and it wasn't a difficult decision to make. I feel fulfilled. I won't go away thinking, I should have done this or should have done that. I had a world championship car, but I didn't win it. "I also have the desire to look for new challenges within the sport. I have an open mind as to whether or not I will compete again in the future, in some other form, so I am definitely not hanging up my helmet." Coulthard drove for Williams and McLaren before joining the Red Bull in 2005. He has won 13 races in his career. The Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner said Coulthard would still be used as a consultant and drive the car in test sessions. "I don't think he will be struggling to fill his time," he joked. Fellow British driver Lewis Hamilton added: "It will be sad to see him go. He first gave me advice when I was still in karting. He is an inspiration for all of us."

akhan@thenational.ae