David Coulthard

Former F1 driver
David Coulthard

One of the world’s most widely recognised sports personalities, David Coulthard is a former Formula 1 Grand Prix driver, television broadcaster, author and entrepreneur.

In 2019 David became non-Executive Chairman of W Series, the world’s first professional all-women single seater racing series and in September he was elected President of the British Racing Drivers Club which owns and operates Silverstone Circuit in the UK.

Born in Twynholm, Scotland, David began racing karts at the age of 11 and rapidly progressed through the lower ranks of motor racing, including winning the prestigious Macau Grand Prix and Masters Formula 3 events.

In 1993 he joined the Williams Formula 1 team as test driver, providing vital support to drivers including Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. He made his Formula 1 World Championship debut for the team the following year. He then moved to McLaren for nine seasons, winning a further 12 Grands Prix and finishing in the top 3 in the World Championship for Drivers on no fewer than five occasions.

During this time he enjoyed wheel-to-wheel combat with rivals including team mate Mika Hakkinen and Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher. In 2005 David was invited to join the newly created Red Bull Racing, eventually stepping away from racing in Formula 1 at the end of the 2008 season after scoring his final podium finish at that year’s Canadian Grand Prix.

Between 2009 and 2015 he co-commentated on Formula 1 for the BBC before moving across to Channel 4 where he remains central to the sport’s coverage in the UK. He also regularly presents the podium interviews with top three drivers on behalf of Formula 1 itself. In 2010 he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

 

David Coulthard