David Coulthard insists he is not yet even thinking about retirement as he is still focused on adding to his 13 grand prix career wins.


The 35-year-old Scot last week signed a new deal to keep him at Red Bull Racing for 2007, which will take him in to a 14th season in Formula 1.

However despite his elder statesman status in the sport, Coulthard says his mind has not drifted to life after F1 as he still believes he has what it takes to win again.

“I am not retiring,” he said in an interview with the Evening Standard newspaper.
“Why can’t people understand this?
“If I said, ‘Yes I’m going to do x after I retire’, then it mentally puts me in that place.
“I have to want to win. I do want to win.
“OK, I haven’t won in a while but I will win again and I’m happy here at Red Bull and they are happy with me.”

Coulthard has not stood on the top step of the podium for over three years, since the opening round of the 2003 season in Australia.


But he takes heart from the fact that Michael Schumacher can continue to win at the age of 37, although he admits he doesn’t quite understand how the German can continue to take so much pleasure from each victory after clocking up 89 of them.

“Michael Schumacher is older than me and he is still winning,” he said.
“Actually I think Michael’s an actor.
“He’s won so much in his career, yet every time he goes up to the rostrum he’s leaping about and smiling.
“What’s that about?
“I’ve never been able to do that. I’m a miserable bleeder.”

Meanwhile, Red Bull have confirmed that Australian Mark Webber will be partnering Coulthard for the 2007 F1 season.

He said:

"It's fantastic to be joining Red Bull Racing. It's clear that the team is very hungry for long-term success.
"I hope that with Red Bull Racing I can have my best Formula One season to date and believe that we can be very, very strong together.
"I'm looking forward to some great times with David and the rest of the team."

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