Coulthard considers the future

David Coulthard is considering where he might go after this season when Juan Pablo Montoya moves to McLaren in 2005. The Scot, who debuted in F1 with Williams in 1994, wouldn't say not to returning to the team that Montoya is leaving, and Toyota is another he thinks is going to be a future challenger.

"Toyota are a team that needs a winning driver and there's no question they are moving forward," said Coulthard. "I would love to drive again for Williams. This season it's in my hands to show I can still do it. Taking something lower down the grid isn't really an option. I enjoy what I do and I'm good at it. I'm 32 and I see no reason to consider that it is time to do something else."

McLaren has yet to officially confirm that Coulthard is out of a job at the end of this year but it seems inevitable that Kimi Raikkonen will partner Montoya in 2005. However, David is committed to the Woking squad for 2004 and after that he claims he's happy to look for a new challenge.

"I will give 100% to McLaren this year to try to win races so that I can be on the grid in 2005 in the best possible seat available," he said. "There's no reason for me to throw my dummy out because this is a chance to seek pastures new. I'm not married to McLaren and inevitably after nine years there will be a natural point to move on."

Despite being overshadowed by Raikkonen last season, Coulthard's on-track record in the way of victories is second only to Michael Schumacher. The Scot has won 13 races going into his eleventh year in F1, the first of which he won in 1995 with Williams. 2004 is his ninth consecutive season with McLaren.

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