Coulthard inks fresh Penske deal

While never confirmed due to the Penske organisation's strict guidelines on discussing contracts, it was understood that this was the final year of the agreement that saw the Kiwi join the team at the start of last season.

That's now been confirmed, with Coulthard revealing he's signed a fresh deal, for an undisclosed period, in his column in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

The deal comes as Coulthard leads the championship by 10 points over teammate Scott McLaughlin, having won three races.

"What a fantastic year it's been so far for me, and the Shell V-Power Racing Team," he wrote in the column. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in this sport, and am very happy to have a new agreement with the team.

"I'm really looking forward to continued success with this team in 2017 and into the future.

"There's a sensational energy around the place at the halfway point of the season, with my teammate Scott McLaughlin and I now first and second in the points standings, and the Shell V-Power Racing Team at the top of the Teams' Championship.

"We have achieved a high level of success so far this year, winning seven of the first 12 race victories, along with eight pole positions. We're working hard to stay up the front, and know that our competitors are not taking it in their stride.

"It's going to be a tough battle across the rest of the year, and we're relishing the challenge."