Coulthard to retire at end of F1 season

By Alan Baldwin

SILVERSTONE, England (Reuters) - Former grand prix winner David Coulthard announced on Thursday he would retire from Formula One at the end of the year after 15 seasons in the sport.

The 37-year-old Scot, the oldest driver on the starting grid, said he would remain actively involved after that as a consultant to his Red Bull team and did not rule out an occasional test drive.

"I have had a growing feeling that this year is the right time to make it my last year in F1," he told a news conference at his home British Grand Prix.

"After 15 years I am clearly not going to battle for a world championship and am unlikely to win another grand prix unless something remarkable happens this year.

"I will be 38 next year and nothing lasts forever. I have enjoyed my racing and now is the right time," added the veteran of 236 races, more than any other British driver in the 58 years of the championship.

Coulthard, who is expected to be replaced by Germany's Sebastian Vettel, said he had also not ruled out competing in the future in some other form of motorsport.

Vettel, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Thursday, is currently racing for Red Bull's Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso sister team.