When David Coulthard refused "number two driver contract" from Ferrari during Michael Schumacher's time

Although he never demonstrated the capability to contend for a world championship, David Coulthard remains a highly respected figure in Formula 1 history. The former British driver, now a commentator for Sky Sports, spent a solid 9 seasons at McLaren from 1996 to 2004, securing 12 of his 13 career victories and playing a crucial role in Mika Hakkinen’s title triumph over Michael Schumacher in 1998.

David Coulthard, a teammate of Michael Schumacher at Ferrari: Jean Todt’s offer
“I met Jean Todt in Paris, at his apartment, to discuss the possibility of driving for Ferrari,” revealed the former McLaren driver on the Formula For Success podcast.

“And the memory of the contract that was offered to me was essentially a number two driver contract that, despite any conclusions that can be drawn now about my career, at the time, I still believed that I wouldn’t sign anything other than equal opportunities.”

“So, essentially, if I were fourth and Michael fifth, I would have to move aside, and step aside completely if I were ahead. I couldn’t agree to sign up for that.”

After politely declining the offer from the Maranello team, David Coulthard managed to build a career that, all in all, earned him considerable respect within the walls of Woking: “All credit goes to Ron Dennis and McLaren. The contract they offered me was always based on equal opportunities.”

“Even though there was a clause saying that I would have to accept the instructions of the team principal under any circumstances, in general, I was given a fair and equal opportunity to work and try to see if I could develop my skills. So, it was the only team I talked to during my nine years at McLaren.”

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Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard, once potential teammates, ended up becoming fierce rivals in 1998 when the German, comfortably leading the race in the pouring rain at Spa, collided head-on with Coulthard’s lapped McLaren.

Exiting the car, Michael did not take it well at all, accusing his rival of causing the incident intentionally and storming towards the McLaren box in a fit of anger.

The British driver’s best career result equates to a second-place finish in the 2001 driver’s standings, while his teammate managed to win the title twice. At the end of 2004, after bidding farewell to the English team, David Coulthard became the first driver to be signed by Red Bull, born from the ashes of Jaguar.