Former Red Bull F1 star David Coulthard insists 'familiarity breeds contempt' in scathing verdict

David Coulthard pictured in 2023 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — Photo: © IMAGO

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Coulthard insists 'familiarity breeds contempt' in scathing F1 verdict

David Coulthard delivers verdict on domination in Formula 1

Shay Rogers

Wednesday 7 February 2024 14:57

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David Coulthard believes that Formula 1 loses its magic when there is ‘too much success’ - much like his former team Red Bull and Mercedes have enjoyed over the last decade.

Coulthard raced for Red Bull between 2005 and 2008 before retiring from the sport, just missing out on their first period of supreme domination.

The team went on to win four consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ championships between 2010 and 2013, and are in the middle of another brutal streak of five combined titles between 2021 and 2023.

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It’s the current patch of domination that has left fans and pundits alike, hungry for more on-track action at the front of the Formula 1 pack.

Red Bull won 21 of 22 grands prix on offer in 2023

Max Verstappen is hunting his fourth consecutive drivers' championship in 2024

Coulthard: Too much success kind of takes away the magic

Asked about what aspects of the sport worry him currently, Coulthard told the Telegraph that dominance is one.

“That expression, 'familiarity breeds contempt'? If you adapt that to sport, the same thing goes,” he said.

“Too much success kind of takes away the magic. With sport, we look to be inspired, to grow, to move forward, and if one team is doing all that, then it doesn't give enough hope for everybody.”

In two weeks' time when pre-season testing for the 2024 season arrives in Bahrain, team, fans and the media alike will begin to get a picture of whether everyone is in for another year of dominance.

While Red Bull confirmed that the RB20 will be an evolution of last year's car, the door could be open for their rivals to close the gap with some brave development decisions as the season progresses.

Red Bull Max Verstappen Mercedes Formula 1 David Coulthard