Schumi is one of a kind: Coulthard

From winning the inaugural McLaren Autosport BRDC award for best young driver in 1989 to winning 13 Gran Prix titles braving competition from the best in the F 1 business, the life and times of David Coulthard is the stuff of legends that is the envy of the next generation of Formula One racers. Today at 44, looking fit as a fiddle, life on the edge and fast lanes is perhaps a thing of the past for Coulthard, who comes across as a gentleman who has specialised in a rugged sport where uncanny maneuvers are the only survival instincts.

The racer is in the city to zip across Necklace Road on Sunday morning for the Infiniti Red Bull Racing Team at the Red Bull F1 Showrun. Ahead of the event, the Brit racer fielded a volley of questions from CityTAB about Hyderabad, the sport and Michael Schumacher, who according to him ‘Was a damn good man at the wheel.’

Have you gone around the Necklace Road where you will be driving? Tell us about the event, tyres, the lap distance and the top speed you are planning to drive

Yes, I have seen the road. The lake and the road present a picturesque locale. I will be driving a distance of 650metres and I think we can take it to a maximum speed of 180 mph (288 kmph), using standard F1 tyres. I hope there is no speed limit on the road for an F1 car (chuckles).

There are differences between driving an F1 car and driving a road car. There is a general belief locally that driving a road car in India is a challenge in itself. What was your feeling while driving around here?

Oh yes, it was quite a herculean task. I don’t think we can take the car in its top gear while driving in India. But people here are ‘mature’ drivers-- they know the road and the technique. For me, it was a new and hence challenging.

You have been zipping across in Hyderabad ever since the vehicle was brought here. You took the vehicle to Ramoji Film City and to Charminar on Friday. F1 cars are street magnets, but how did you folks keep it so low-key?

That’s what teams are for. They are good with the car as well as organising things. Even in the Formula One race, the team and car plays pivotal roles. The driver comes later. I feel F1 is relatively a new sport in India. So the awe associated with the sport is less in intensity compared to Argentina or Brazil.

Is there a possibility of India hosting anymore F1 races?

We are doing everything we can to bring back F1 in India. I understand there were some issues revolving around aspects like conduct and tax disputes. We are sorting things out, for we cannot ignore an important country like India.

How is your relationship with Michael Schumacher? Is it purely professional? Are you guys still in touch. How is he responding post the tragic skiing accident?

Michael was an exceptional driver. He has become the benchmark for the next generation of racers. He was fast, committed and ruthless behind the wheel. But above all, I feel I raced during the best part of the F1 era. I was never as good as him, but to race with him and sharing podiums even when I had won and he was second best will be cherished for eternity.

Although we were somewhat distant while on the racetrack, there was always the shared feeling that we were doing the same thing and we understood what our lifestyle is. It is tragic that the legend in our midst is going through a painful situation. But he is a tough person. I wait for him to be able to resume a normal life.

By:Augustin Kurian