Latest news with #DavidCoulthard
Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
David Coulthard plane crash that claimed two lives put the brakes on F1 playboy lifestyle
David Coulthard plane crash that claimed two lives put the brakes on F1 playboy lifestyle David Coulthard was involved in a plane crash in 2000, just five days before the Spanish Grand Prix, but the F1 star decided to race and finished second David Coulthard competed in a F1 race five days after a plane crash (Image: AFP via Getty Images ) David Coulthard demonstrated immense resilience when he competed in a Formula 1 race just five days after surviving a devastating plane crash that left him with broken ribs and claimed the lives of two. The incident occurred in 2000 when the 54-year-old, then racing for McLaren, was a passenger on a private jet bound for his home in the South of France. Alongside his then-girlfriend Heidi Wichlinski and trainer Andy Matthews, Coulthard was on board when the plane suffered engine failure en route to Nice, necessitating an emergency landing in Lyon. Tragically, the impact and subsequent fire claimed the lives of captain David Saunders and co-pilot Dan Worley, as the cockpit was torn from the aircraft. Miraculously, Coulthard and Wichlinski escaped with relatively minor injuries. Despite the Spanish Grand Prix being just five days away and his own painful condition, Coulthard chose to push through and participate in the race, driven by his second-place standing in the championship at the time. Reflecting on the harrowing experience in an interview with the Daily Star in 2023, Coulthard said: "It wasn't meant for me to depart on that particular day. Article continues below "Obviously, it was tragic for the pilots and their families. My girlfriend and my trainer at the time were on board, and we were able to leave the aircraft relatively unscathed, with just a few broken ribs. The ex-F1 driver suffered only broken ribs in the plane crash (Image: Sygma via Getty Images ) "You then, like every major moment in your life, have decisions to make. I think the one thing with sports, irrespective of which sport it is, is that it teaches you to move on, to compartmentalise what happened and why it happened, and then you turn the page. "You've got to keep moving forward in life and in sport, particularly. That's what I chose to do: keep moving forward. I was physically capable of competing in that Grand Prix." Coulthard secured an impressive second place in Spain, completing a McLaren 1-2 alongside two-time F1 world champion and team-mate Mika Hakkinen. "I did my best in terms of reaching out to the families and the pilot's family and informing them of my intention to race and do so in their memory," he continued. "You're met with something that is obviously a major, major life-changing event; you can dwell on those moments and keep reliving them, or you can just move on, and that's what I've chosen to do." Despite the traumatic experience, Coulthard decided not to let it hinder him and confessed he still travels by air frequently. "I spend my life on aircraft, at least a month each year, in terms of hours," he disclosed. "I only spend 11 months of the year on the ground. The Scotsman continues to fly despite the traumatic crash (Image: Getty Images ) "The rest is spent in the air. I'm not a fan of worrying about things out of your control, I have to travel. If I wanted to be a control freak, then I would learn how to fly and get my own aircraft." The crash not only left Coulthard injured but also prompted a personal transformation, as he acknowledged that the loss of the two pilots spurred him to leave behind his playboy ways. "Knowing that two families' lives had been changed forever – they were fathers, they were husbands, they were sons – it was horrible, absolutely horrible," he expressed on the Pitlane Life Lessons podcast. "What that did do was make me grow the f*** up. I think I'd just turned 30 and I was living the comforts of being well paid as a Formula 1 driver, jumping on private planes and all the good things [...] I think I was getting a little bit spoiled without realising it. Article continues below "That was a massive kick up the ass to slow down, not on the race track, be a bit more aware of decisions I was making and get rid of the 'I want this, make it happen now' attitude."
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
‘I escaped death in fatal plane crash before F1 GP – but I had to race'
Despite his involvement in a fatal plane crash in 2000, ex-Formula One driver and Sky Sports F1 pundit David Coulthard fought through his injuries to compete in the Spanish Grand Prix five days later David Coulthard once took part in a race just five days after surviving a plane crash that left him with broken ribs. The ex- Formula One star was racing for McLaren back in 2000 when he was involved in the harrowing incident on a private jet bound for his residence in the South of France. Coulthard, 54, was travelling with his then-girlfriend Heidi Wichlinski and personal trainer Andy Matthews when their aircraft suffered an engine failure en route to Nice. Forced to make an emergency landing in Lyon from 39,000ft, the plane crashed onto the runway and erupted into flames, tragically killing pilots David Saunders and Dan Worley as the cockpit was torn away. Despite the trauma and his injuries, Coulthard showed remarkable resilience by choosing to compete in the Spanish Grand Prix shortly thereafter, where he was second in the championship standings. In a 2023 interview with the Daily Star, the Sky Sports F1 pundit reflected: "It wasn't meant for me to depart on that particular day. Obviously, it was tragic for the pilots and their families. My girlfriend and my trainer at the time were on board, and we were able to leave the aircraft relatively unscathed, with just a few broken ribs. "You then, like every major moment in your life, have decisions to make. I think the one thing with sports, irrespective of which sport it is, is it teaches you to move on, to compartmentalise what happened and why it happened, and then you turn the page. "You've got to keep moving forward in life and in sport, particularly. That's what I chose to do: keep moving forward. I was physically capable of competing in that Grand Prix." Coulthard nailed a remarkable second place in Spain, forming part of a McLaren 1-2 with two-time F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen. "I did my best in terms of reaching out to the families and the pilot's family and informing them of my intention to race and do so in their memory," he continued. "You're met with something that is obviously a major, major life-changing event; you can dwell on those moments and keep reliving them, or you can just move on, and that's what I've chosen to do." Despite the traumatic incident, Coulthard has been adamant about not letting it impede his life, confessing he still flies frequently. "I spend my life on aircraft, at least a month each year, in terms of hours," he said. "I only spend 11 months of the year on the ground. "The rest is spent in the air. I'm not a fan of worrying about things out of your control, I have to travel. If I wanted to be a control freak, then I would learn how to fly and get my own aircraft." The crash may have left Coulthard physically hurt but it also precipitated a personal transformation, acknowledging that the loss of the two pilots helped him leave behind his playboy ways. Speaking on the Pitlane Life Lessons podcast, he shared the harrowing realisation of the incident's consequences. "Knowing that two families' lives had been changed forever – they were fathers, they were husbands, they were sons – it was horrible, absolutely horrible," he recounted (via the Express). "What that did do was make me grow the f*** up. I think I'd just turned 30 and I was living the comforts of being well paid as a Formula 1 driver, jumping on private planes and all the good things... I think I was getting a little bit spoiled without realising it. "That was a massive kick up the ass to slow down, not on the race track, be a bit more aware of decisions I was making and get rid of the 'I want this, make it happen now' attitude."
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
F1: Coulthard believes Monaco pole-sitter could be ‘disappointed' with mandatory two-stop
The Monaco Grand Prix, one of the oldest tracks in Formula One history, is known for its luxurious charm and pristine views, and is a challenge like no other for the F1 drivers. The slowest race on the calendar, which weaves through the streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine around the harbour of the Principality of Monaco, is a high-stakes event with no room for error. In a bid to enliven the otherwise straightforward Grand Prix in which teams usually make only one pit stop, a two-stop rule has been imposed by FIA, with the use of three tyre sets now compulsory. Former F1 driver David Coulthard, who has claimed victory at this street circuit twice before (2000, 2002), feels that this change will make Saturday's qualifying an interesting affair, but the fastest driver on the grid will not be the favourite for the win. 'If I'm the guy who sticks it on pole, I would be disappointed for the first time this year,' said Coulthard, who spent 15 seasons (1994-2008) in the sport with Williams, McLaren and Red Bull. The nature of the street circuit is such that drivers have to ace every corner to have a clean, incident-free lap, let alone looking to make a move on the car ahead. 'Overtaking is difficult,' said the 54-year-old. ALSO READ | Pitstop change could make Monaco a crazy race, says Verstappen 'If it's a classic one-stop race, you take the lead and you manage your tyres until you're getting close to your pit stop,' he said, detailing how his two triumphant stints at this circuit saw him execute tyre management perfectly and weave to the checkered flag. Now with an irrefutable two-stop race for Sunday, Coulthard believes there's a lot more scope for a happening race. 'They brought in mandatory two stops because it means there are two opportunities for people to undercut you or have a better pitstop.' As strategy takes centre stage, Coulthard thinks a front-row start gives the best chance of winning, and sees McLaren as the team best placed to capitalise. The reigning world constructors' champion rides on the confidence of a strong start to the season and the fact that it is the most successful team in Monaco, with 15 wins since 1966. The last win, however, was in 2008 with Lewis Hamilton. 'They have two great drivers,' – McLaren boasts a young and bustling lineup featuring championship leader Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who sits close behind. 'I think they're in a strong position, and they've got to believe they have the chance to qualify on the front row. If you do that, you've got the chance to win the race,' he said. (Formula 1 will be broadcast LIVE on FanCode in India)
STV News
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- STV News
Only FIA-approved race circuit in Scotland celebrates 50 years of racing
Knockhill Circuit celebrates 50 years of racing with a special event bringing champions and race winners of the past together. It's where F1 driver David Coulthard and Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti took their first steps as race car drivers, and this weekend, Knockhill racetrack in Fife, the only FIA-approved circuit in Scotland, celebrates its 50th anniversary. On Sunday, May 18, exactly 50 years ago to the day, the track will mark the first-ever car event to be held at the circuit, with more than 100 former champions of the 70s, 80s, and beyond joining a host of famous championship-winning cars. While Knockhill Motor Sports Club and SMRC racing championships are being given the spotlight on Saturday, Sunday will feature Scottish champions across the five decades, many with their original competition cars on display and on track during special parades and track sessions. 'We have 100 drivers who are either past champions or past race winners from the last 50 years, and we really feel it's going to be such a social event for them to see each other as well,' explains Jillian Shedden, Knockhill Race Circuit CEO. 'We've also got 50 iconic race cars from the last five decades as well, so a lot of our spectators will be able to come back and see cars that they saw when they came to visit us, whether that was in the 70s, 80s, 90s, or 2000s. 'And we've got action on track as well with some of these iconic cars doing demos – some are a little faster than others. 'We've got an ex-Martin Brundle F3 car, which is similar to the cars that were here at the first event. 'And we have a demonstration from a Pilbeam Sprint car, which is a V10, five-litre super-duper mega fast, so the noise is going to be incredible.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Silverstone exhibition marks F1 Grand Prix's 75th anniversary
The Silverstone circuit has gone full throttle in marking an important motor racing anniversary with a unique display was launched on Tuesday - exactly 75 years after the first F1 World Championship Grand includes cars driven by Nigel Mansell, David Coulthard and George circuit's head of learning engagement, Rob Jaina, said the vehicles had never been brought together as a collection before. The very first F1 World Championship Grand Prix took place on 13 May 1950, with 21 drivers negotiating a track marked out by hay was won by the Italian Giuseppe Farina in an Alfa but 17 British Grand Prix races have been held at the Northamptonshire circuit, which was once an RAF base. The exhibition at Silverstone Museum showcases vehicles from each decade since that first Pringle, the circuit's chief executive, said: "History is wonderful because it gives us something to anchor our brand to and talk about the sport."The modern circuits, and there are many wonderful circuits on the calendar now, but they don't have the history behind them, so we're really lucky." Mr Jaina, from the museum, added: "We've got some cars that have never even been brought together as a collection before."We've got everything from world championship cars to cars that haven't been quite as successful, but are still pretty special." Among the highlights is Nigel Mansell's Renault FW14B, which he drove to victory in the 1992 World Championship. Mr Jaina said: "When he won here at Silverstone in '92, the crowd went absolutely berserk - they were running on the track in scenes we've never really seen before or since, and to have that car here is so special - to be where it all started." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
