‘Just couldn’t agree’: 13-time F1 race winner held talks with Ferrari over being Michael Schumacher’s teammate

Formula 1 icon David Coulthard has confessed to engaging in discussions with Ferrari about the prospect of becoming Michael Schumacher’s teammate. Coulthard revealed this during a conversation on the Formula For Success Podcast with former team owner Eddie Jordan. The allure of Formula 1 is a rare privilege, and once drivers experience it, they are often reluctant to relinquish it.

Notable examples include Fernando Alonso, who continues to race in his 40s, and Daniel Ricciardo, who willingly stepped down to AlphaTauri this year to remain on the grid and pursue his F1 aspirations. However, for those at the pinnacle of the sport, the ultimate goal is to secure a spot in the fastest car.

In the early 2000s, only a handful of teams vied for the six points-paying positions, with Ferrari, McLaren, and Williams dominating the landscape. Michael Schumacher stood out as the leading figure before the eras of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Despite the restructuring of points distribution and the expansion of the F1 calendar, Schumacher’s records are likely to be surpassed in the future.

Coulthard disclosed that he explored the possibility of joining Ferrari as Schumacher’s teammate. However, he ultimately played a pivotal role in the nascent stages of the Red Bull team after concluding his tenure with McLaren in 2004. The course of Coulthard’s career could have taken a different trajectory if not for a specific clause in the negotiation process with Ferrari.

In response to Eddie Jordan’s inquiry about talks with other teams during his time at McLaren or before joining Red Bull, Coulthard confirmed such discussions. He recounted a meeting with Jean Todt in Paris, where Ferrari proposed a contract that essentially designated him as a secondary driver. Despite McLaren’s equal opportunity contract, which included a clause to follow team instructions, Coulthard opted for a fair chance to compete.

The narrative of Formula 1 could have witnessed Coulthard alongside Schumacher at Ferrari if the negotiations had resulted in a more favorable outcome. Instead, Coulthard, a 13-time race winner, continued his pursuit of titles with McLaren Mercedes, securing top-three finishes in the standings on five occasions. Schumacher, paired with Rubens Barrichello during that period, benefited from a supportive second driver who contributed to Schumacher’s seven Drivers’ Championships, a feat subsequently equaled by Lewis Hamilton.