David Coulthard

David Marshall Coulthard (born 27 March 1971) is a British former Formula One driver and a prominent motorsport broadcaster. Nicknamed “DC”, he began karting at the age of eleven, quickly dominating Scottish junior championships before moving into car racing, where he secured the P&O Ferries Formula Ford 1600 Junior title in 1989. His breakthrough came with a stint in British Formula 3, winning the Macau Grand Prix and the Masters of Formula Three in 1991, which earned him a test with the McLaren team and the McLaren/Autosport Young Driver of the Year award. Coulthard made his Formula One debut with Williams in 1994, stepping in after the tragic death of Ayrton Senna, and captured his first Grand Prix victory at the 1995 Portuguese Grand Prix. A move to McLaren in 1996 paired him with Mika Häkkinen, and over the next eight seasons he amassed 13 wins, 12 pole positions, 18 fastest laps and 62 podiums, finishing as runner‑up in the 2001 World Drivers’ Championship. After a final stint with Red Bull (2005‑2008), he retired from F1 but continued as a consultant and occasional driver, winning the Race of Champions in 2014 and 2018.

Following his competitive career, Coulthard transitioned to media, joining the BBC’s Formula One coverage in 2008 and later becoming a leading commentator for Channel 4 from 2016 onward. He also contributes columns to The Daily Telegraph and BBC Sport, co‑owns Whisper Films, and serves as an ambassador for Red Bull’s Wings For Life charity, IWC Schaffhausen, UBS and Mercedes‑Benz. In 2019 he was elected president of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, overseeing Silverstone Circuit. His personal life includes a marriage to Belgian presenter Karen Minier (2013‑2022) and the birth of a daughter in 2008. Coulthard’s influence extends beyond the track, shaping modern motorsport broadcasting and championing charitable causes.