P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren race winner reveals Ferrari contract offer
Former McLaren F1 race winner David Coulthard recently disclosed that he was offered a Ferrari contract, stipulating that he would be their number two driver behind Michael Schumacher. He ultimately declined this offer, as he had a successful stint with McLaren, earning 12 of his 13 grand prix victories with the team from 1996 to 2004. Coulthard praised McLaren’s ethos of having top drivers, citing the ongoing internal battle between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. However, their choice to maintain equality between drivers may have cost them the championship in 2025, as Norris narrowly clinched the title from Max Verstappen at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Looking ahead to 2026, the increasing competition, including Mercedes, may pose a challenge for McLaren if they continue with their strategy of having two equally competitive drivers on the team.
