David Coulthard: ‘We should have a Grand Prix here’

Former British racing driver David Coulthard batted to have a Formula One F1 Grand Prix GP in India during the Red Bull Showrun press conference in Bandra on SaturdayThe 51yearold acknowledged Indiarsquos robust engineering talent and the countryrsquos formidable presence in the global economy as he pushed for a return of the Indian GP that last took place at the Buddh International Circuit Noida in 2013ldquoFrom a population point of view India is a major player in the global economy There is incredible brain power here A lot of technology is developed here and then shipped out to the rest of the world to enjoy There have only been a couple of Indian Formula One drivers over the past 15 years or so I think we should have a Grand Prix hererdquo Coulthard said during a media interaction He also reflected on Red Bullrsquos incredible recent run in the F1 circuit with lead driver Max Verstappen claiming the championship title consecutively in the last two yearsAlso Read ExF1 champ Button to make his NASCAR debut on March 26The team also won the F1 constructorsrsquo championship after an eightyearlong drought in 2022 The 13time F1 GP victor hailed the teamrsquos investment in quality manpower as the reason behind their current dominancelsquoGot to invest in peoplersquoldquoThere is no secret ingredient to being successful in Formula One There are periods where a team has a technological advantage or they have great efficiencies with teamwork whether it is with pit stops or is it driving the consistency You have got to invest in people and empower them to do the jobrdquo Coulthard saidHowever Coulthard did not shy away from potentially locking horns with Verstappen The 2001 F1 championship runnerup asserted that he is always keen to pit himself against the best in the business something he aspired to do throughout his illustrious careerldquoI would love to go up alongside Max Not because I think I can beat him but I have always wanted to compare myself to the best and not hide from them I admire success commitment and work ethic and if I could be alongside someone like that and letrsquos say I am 110th slower to Max maybe half a 10th maybe half a second whatever the gap was at the peak of my career I would know how I compare to the world champion and thatrsquos always what I have aspired tordquo Coulthard claimedDonrsquot mix politics amp sportsThe veteran driver also touched upon F1 governing body Federation Internationale de lrsquoAutomobilersquos FIA recent rule prohibiting racers from making political religious and personal statements during pre and postrace events on the track An original order with wider restrictions had faced the wrath of many F1 superstars but Coulthard seems to support the FIArsquos stance on this frontldquoFreedom of speech is a human right absolutely But my position is if I go to see football if I go to Wimbledon I want to see tennis I donrsquot want to go there to be hijacked having to listen to onersquos individualrsquos position on any subjectrdquo he saidThe former McLaren superstar instead advocated for F1 drivers to make such statements away from the sporting limelight as he believed that there would be no end to it otherwiseldquoWhy not do it on a Monday Letrsquos keep the racing for the racing because otherwise the drivers are not the only ones having a voice Why not the team principles Why not the crew chief or the catering staff If we just get it to one because they have more fame then that does not reflect the global populationrdquo Coulthard signed off