Coulthard: Nothing lasts forever, Newey to Ferrari in my mind

For context, it was Coulthard who introduced Newey to Christian Horner [the trio pictured above in the Red Bull pit garage in Miami] and hence launched the Dietrich Mateschitz dream team. The Scot had driven Adrian's cars at Williams and McLaren. There remains obvious mutual respect and a bond that remains to this day between the pair.

Buzzing with VIPs, ex-drivers, current drivers and a great deal of eye candy as the Miami GP was the place to be this past weekend. Bumping into DC while strolling the Hard Rock Stadium F1 paddock, he graciously offered his thoughts on F1's hottest topic: What next for Adrian Newey?

Coulthard ventured: "First of all, nothing lasts forever. It has been an amazing almost 18 years, he's been with the team, with tremendous success, Adrian is 65, he had signed an extension, but then decided he needs energy for other things.

"He'll remain a good friend. And it'll be interesting to see if he takes a short break, whether he pops up with another team. And, of course, people believe and expect that it may be Ferrari, it could only be Ferrari in my mind to complete the cycle of what's been an amazing career."

While Williams have made Newey a feeble offer, the smart money is he joins Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Maranello as early as next year. Talk is Ferrari boss travelled to London earlier this month to conclude a deal that is expected to be announced "the week after the Miami GP" claim Italian media.

Asked if he gave Vasseur Newey's number as he did Horner almost two decades ago, Coulthard replied: "They all know how to get a hold of Adrian. But you know, back in those days, Christian didn't know Adrian the way I did. Obviously, I was more than happy to help facilitate."

McLaren boss Zak Brown predicted that Newey's departure is the first domino to fall at Red Bull in the wake of the explosive Horner 'sex-texting' scandal that had the team in turmoil at the start of the season. Is Max Verstappen next to depart the F1 World Champion team that made him?

Coulthard replied: "Max has a contract. The team are performing. There's no reason for him to look elsewhere. I don't know drivers who leave from winning situations. Drivers leave when things are not giving them the opportunity.

"That's what we're seeing with Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes to go to Ferrari. who believes now it represents for him a better opportunity to get his eight F1 world title," explained Coulthard. Hamilton whose seven titles were all Mercedes-powered, has not won a Grand Prix since 2021.

Before 53-year-old Coulthard went about his business in the Miami sunshine a final question about the progress of his son Duncan elicited a massive grin: "Hahaha, my son races in Formula 4 next year, I believe. So he's coming!"

With father's backing? "Yes, absolutely. As long as he's committed, I'll support him. I think he's got talent but in the end, that doesn't matter. What matters is the stopwatch," added Coulthard.

Coulthard's career in F1 spanned from 1994 until 1998, making 246 GP starts. He celebrated 62 times on the podium, 13 times as a winner. He was also instrumental in McLaren winning the F1 Constructors' Championship while he raced for them, teammate to Mika Hakkinen most notably.