F1 driver Coulthard to retire at end of season

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LONDON (AFP) - British Formula One driver David Coulthard will retire from the sport at the end of the season, he said Thursday.

The 37-year-old Scot, currently driving for the Red Bull team, announced his decision ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone - his 237th Grand Prix start.

Coulthard made his debut with the Williams team in 1994 before joining their British rivals McLaren two years later.

He then spent nine seasons with McLaren before moving to Red Bull in 2005.

"I would like to announce today (Thursday) my decision to retire from racing in Formula One at the end of this season," Coulthard said in a statement.

"I will remain actively involved in the sport as a consultant to Red Bull Racing, focusing on testing and development of the cars. I have an open mind as to whether or not I will compete again in the future, in some other form of motorsport, so I am definitely not hanging up my helmet."

He added: "My decision to retire was taken earlier in the year and is based on a desire to stop while I am still competitive and enjoying the immense challenge that Grand Prix driving represents. I also have the desire to look for new challenges within the sport.

"The decision to make this announcement at the British GP should be an obvious one for all to understand, as I have achieved two of my 13 F1 victories at Silverstone and I am a member of the British Racing Drivers' Club, which hosts this event.

"I am proud of my work at Red Bull Racing and will continue to race with the same focus until the last lap in Brazil. Thereafter I will continue to help the team develop and move towards their ultimate goal of winning races."

Coulthard, who never won the world title, got his chance in Formula One following the death of Ayrton Senna at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Formerly a test driver, Coulthard replaced the Brazil great in the Williams team and made his debut at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The Scot's first Formula One win came at the 1995 Portuguese Grand Prix and his total of 13 wins also featured double triumphs in the British and Monaco Grand Prix. Coulthard's last victory was at the 2003 Australian Grand Prix.

So far, Coulthard has finished on the podium 62 times and scored 533 championship points

"Working with David has been an absolute pleasure and his contribution to the team over the past four seasons has been significant," said Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner.

"He is a consummate professional and I think that one of the key elements to the length of his career is the dedication he has applied and the commitment he has shown.

"He scored our first point, our first podium and was the first of our drivers to lead a grand prix. Within the team there is a huge amount of respect for David."