David Coulthard reveals how Ayrton Senna paved the way for him to enter Formula 1: Before his death, the legend put in a good word for him with Frank Williams.
Former Grand Prix driver David Coulthard has spoken about the influence Ayrton Senna had on his career and what it was like to take over the Williams cockpit after the legend’s death.
Coulthard served as a test driver for Williams in 1993 and 1994. After Senna’s tragic death in an accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, the Scot was given the opportunity to test drive in Jerez. He made his debut in Spain, but was replaced by Nigel Mansell after two races due to pressure from engine partner Renault.
In an appearance on The Red Flags podcast, Coulthard now revealed that Senna played a decisive role in his promotion. “I know in retrospect from Julian Jakobi, who was with my management IMG at the time and who then became Ayrton’s manager, that Ayrton had been watching me,” says Coulthard. Senna spent a few days testing with the Scotsman, listening to him and watching him to find out if he liked what the young driver was doing. “I know he spoke to Julian and Frank Williams and said he thought I deserved a chance in Formula 1,” Coulthard continued.
This certainly played a part in Williams taking the risk of promoting an inexperienced rookie instead of relying on one of the many available drivers with Grand Prix experience who could have competed for the rest of the season.
Coulthard emphasizes that his career is not based solely on the tragedy at Imola. “The reason I’m sitting here is not just because of Ayrton’s death, but because of the words he said before he died. If he had thought I was an idiot, I would never have seen the light of a Grand Prix track as a racing driver.”
Senna’s team leadership skills
The 13-time Grand Prix winner also highlighted Senna’s interest in all team members as a key factor in his success at Toleman, Lotus, McLaren, and Williams.
“He was very aware of each individual and knew what their roles were. He wanted to know what everyone was doing and why they were there to find out if they were really part of the team,” said Coulthard. A team has to support each other, and in a good team there is no public politics.
Coulthard explains: “When the big teams win, they stick together and no information leaks out. When teams don’t win and the blame game starts, that’s when politics begins, and that’s when the team’s disintegration becomes apparent. He knew how to bring the team together.” It is therefore no coincidence that the Brazilian was successful with all his teams.
A brand bigger than Hamilton or Verstappen
Even almost 30 years after his death, Coulthard still sees Senna as an exceptional figure in the sport. “Isn’t Senna one of the most famous names? It’s a bit like Ferrari being the most famous brand in the automotive sector. Senna is probably better known than even Hamilton, who has obviously won many more championships, or Verstappen.”
The fact that he is still celebrated today shows beyond words how special he was. Coulthard considers it one of the great privileges of his life to have worked with drivers such as Senna, Alain Prost, and Mansell. But Senna stood out for him.
“Senna had an elegance. He had class. He had a look. I wouldn’t normally acknowledge the beauty of other men, but he had a look that would be very difficult not to find attractive,” Coulthard concludes.