“I'm pretty gutted, it's not how I wanted to end my career. I took a cautious approach into Turn one and left plenty of space for the car on the inside, but unfortunately I think Rosberg hit me though Turn two, which spun me round. I thought it would be okay, but then Nakajima ran into the front of my car and took off the front corner. I felt good on the warm-up laps going to the grid, I had no problem with it being wet and I wanted to get to the chequered flag,” argued the Red Bull Racing driver after the race.
Coulthard also revealed that he had planned a few donuts for the crowd at the end of the race to celebrate his retirement in style. However, a simple waving hand gesture replaced it after less than a kilometer into the race. “I was going to do some donuts for the crowd, which is something you normally get fined for, but it didn't work out,” added the Scot.
The Twynholm-born driver ended his F1 career with some impressive records in his pocket. He scored no less than 13 wins inside the Great Circle, managed 12 pole positions along the way and climbed the podium 62 times in 15 years of Formula 1 racing. His best overall result in the championship was runner-up to Michael Schumacher in 2001, while driving for McLaren. He will be replaced by Sebastian Vettel at RBR next year, while staying with Christian Horner's team as an advisor for the season to come.
“I can't complain though, I've had a good career, so thank you to everyone who has supported me. Thank you also to the efforts of every member of the Red Bull Racing team for the last four years, which have been a lot of fun, I look forward to continuing to work with them in the future. It means a great deal to me that so many people have taken the time to say 'nice career and good luck with the future'. And, in the absence of a World Championship, I think if I can leave with that, then that's a good ending,” ended Coulthard.
Google News