David Coulthard: ‘My Younger Sister was more Naturally Talented than Me’

David Coulthard is a 13-time race winner in Formula One, but according to himself, isn’t the quickest racer in his own family.

The Scot, who raced for Williams, McLaren and Red Bull during his 15 year F1 career, claimed that it was only the fact his sister is six years younger than he was, that stopped her from forging a career in racing.

Since racing retirement Coulthard has become a TV commentator for Channel 4, where the W Series, the all-female championship for which he is now a representative, airs.

Speaking at Autosport International, Coulthard said:

“My younger sister who raced karts and it was generally accepted in the family that she was more naturally talented than me. But unfortunately, she was six years younger, so fast forward to when I was 17 getting Jackie Stewart calling me, then all the focus of the family went on me.”

The 48-year-old now broadcaster is an ambassador and co-commentator for the female only W Series, which launched last year, and believes that the championship can grow to a world level over time. He said:

“Longer term plans are to of course grow the championship. We’re very happy with what DTM have given us. We definitely have plans to grow.

“My personal vision is a European championship, North American, South American, Asian that can then come together for a World Series.”

It was recently announced that Alex Jacques would take the reigns of lead commentary for the 2020 season replacing Claire Cottingham but Coulthard insists that the change is in no way a detriment to last year’s commentary team.

“I think Claire did a fantastic job I enjoyed working with her on the few events I did. In the same way that people move around in other broadcasting roles, it’s no different here. We’ve got new talent coming in during this evolution process. People decide to move on, some people don’t quite make the grade for whatever reason.”

All W Series races will be broadcast live on free-to-air TV in the UK with Channel 4, as they were in 2019, and Coulthard praised the channel’s commitment to such a new series.

“It’s fantastic that Channel 4 are supporting motorsport through Formula One and they recognise that there is a championship there which is clearly supporting female talent.”

W Series predictably came in for it’s fair share of criticism when the announcement was made as many believed the segregation would not be of benefit to female drivers but Coulthard believes that the doubters will be convinced eventually. He said:

“I accept that some people will have views that ‘this is for boys and this is for girls’ but I take the view if it’s open to all then it absolutely should be.”

“I’m not on some kind of personal mission to change everyone’s minds about it, they’re entitled to their own views, but I am on a mission to say: ‘don’t write it off without giving it a go’, and then if it’s still not for you that’s fine.”