Coulthard to quit at end of season

10:44pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

British driver David Coulthard has confirmed he will retire from Formula One at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old from Twynholm in Scotland announced his decision ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix, which will be his 237th start.

The Red Bull Racing veteran made his debut with the Williams team in 1994 before joining McLaren two years later.

Coulthard remained with the Woking-based squad for nine seasons before joining Red Bull in 2005.

Coulthard, who will remain with Red Bull beyond the end of the season in a consultancy capacity, confirmed his decision in a statement circulated at Silverstone.

"I would like to announce my decision to retire from racing in Formula One at the end of this season," the statement read.

"I will remain actively involved in the sport as a consultant to Red Bull Racing focusing on testing and development of the cars. I have an open mind as to whether or not I will compete again in the future, in some other form of motorsport, so I am definitely not hanging up my helmet.

"My decision to retire was taken earlier in the year and is based on a desire to stop while I am still competitive and enjoying the immense challenge that grand prix driving represents. I also have the desire to look for new challenges within the sport.

"The decision to make this announcement at the British GP should be an obvious one for all to understand, as I have achieved two of my 13 F1 victories at Silverstone and I am a member of the British Racing Drivers' Club, which hosts this event.

"I am proud of my work at Red Bull Racing and will continue to race with the same focus until the last lap in Brazil. Thereafter I will continue to help the team develop and move towards their ultimate goal of winning races."

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