Dc Enjoying The Lack Of Pressure

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DC enjoying the lack of pressure

David Coulthard is enjoying his extended stay in Formula One as he defies the critics who called on him to quit last year.

The Scotsman was short on options when McLaren decided not to renew his contract for 2005, but fierce lobbying on his part earned him a drive with Red Bull.

Even then, the sceptics predicted a sorry end to a successful Formula One career, pointing to the team's troubles under their former guise of Jaguar.

But both Coulthard and Red Bull have been the surprise of the season, moving into sixth and third in their respective championships as a result of their 100% points-scoring record.

Coulthard is still very much at home in the grand prix paddock and feels this season has vindicated his decision to fight on.

He said: "I enjoy racing. I think I've always appreciated it. I've never taken it for granted."

"I've been racing for more than 20 years and I don't think there's been a time when I've not appreciated it - I've always enjoyed it."

"The reason I wanted to continue racing last year, when some people might have said it was time to move on, was that I know how I feel on Sunday when the lights are about to change."

"I'm not doing this because I'm obligated to do it - I'm doing this because I haven't found something to do on a Sunday afternoon that gives me the same sort of feeling that lasts for an hour and a half."

Coulthard's move down the grid - the first time he has not driven for a top team after spells with Williams and McLaren - has presented him with new challenges.

He no longer enjoys the fruits of endless testing and has discovered more down-to-earth issues with a team running on a comparatively low budget.

"There's not more pressure because it's a bigger team," he said of his time at McLaren.

"The challenge is still the same but the facilities you have at McLaren mean they can introduce two new cars in a season last year."

"We are struggling to get spare parts to last the weekend. The problem is basically physically constructing enough."

"They are all lifed - just because you don't crash it doesn't mean you can use it all year. They have a life, when they reach that they have to be binned."

Coulthard gets his first hint at how competitive Red Bull will be in the Bahrain Grand Prix when practice begins later today at Sakhir.