Brazilian GP - Red Bull Renault - RaceThe final race of the season did not go too well for the Red Bull racers, especially so in the case of the now-retired David Coulthard.
Heading into the second turn moments after the start was given, contact from behind sent
the Scotsman into a spin. Nearly recovered, Coulthard was then hit at the front by the Williams team's Nakajima, putting a very early end to the veteran's final Formula One race as a driver after 15 years in the sport.
Mark Webber fared better in that he finished the race, gaining three places from his starting position to finish ninth, out of the points zone.
Mark Webber:
"The car was pretty difficult to drive today. We had a long middle stint, but the pace wasn't there and I struggled. We knew some of the problems we had from practice and we tried to cater for those in the race, but in the end most of them were still there. It's disappointing to finish ninth."
David Coulthard:
"I'm pretty gutted, it's not how I wanted to end my career. I took a cautious approach into Turn one and left plenty of space for the car on the inside, but unfortunately I think Rosberg hit me though Turn two, which spun me round. I thought it would be okay, but then Nakajima ran into the front of my car and took off the front corner. I felt good on the warm up laps going to the grid, I had no problem with it being wet and I wanted to get to the chequered flag. I was going to do some doughnuts for the crowd, which is something you normally get fined for, but it didn't work out.
"
"I can't complain though, I've had a good career, so thank you to everyone who has supported me. Thank you also to the efforts of every member of the Red Bull Racing team for the last four years, which have been a lot of fun, I look forward to continuing to work with them in the future. I've been overwhelmed by the level of support I've had from the paddock this weekend, it means a great deal to me that so many people have taken the time to say 'nice career and good luck with the future'. And, in the absence of a World Championship, I think if I can leave with that, then that's a good ending."
Christian Horner, Team Principal:
"It's a great shame for David to be eliminated from his last Grand Prix at the first corner, but he can look back on a long and illustrious career where he's achieved a great deal. He now moves on to a different phase in his life and will continue to have a close relationship with Red Bull Racing. We're looking forward to working with him outside the cockpit. Mark drove a good race in difficult conditions. We took the opportunity to fill the car at the first stop and he didn't make any mistakes throughout. We also elected, like several others, to use intermediate tyres for the last few laps, but unfortunately ninth place is a frustrating position to finish."
"Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton on his first World Championship. The team has worked incredibly hard throughout the season and despite a frustrating second half, we can look forward with optimism."
Fabrice Lom, Renault, Principal Engineer, Track Support:
"What a final, the Championship was incredible and lasted until the last corner. Congratulations to Lewis, I think he deserved it as he drove well all season. It's a shame for Massa, he drove well also, but at least he won in front of his home crowd today. Looking to us, it was a dramatic last Grand Prix for David, who only did one corner. I'm so disappointed for him. Mark had a very good race, but unfortunately he didn't score any points, so we are seventh, not a good result, but we will bounce back for next year."
