Coulthard brings a little bit of F1 to Kyalami

Morgan Bolton|Published

David Coulthard took the RB7 for a spin around Kyalami on Friday. Morgan Bolton Independent Newspapers

Morgan Bolton

Standing at Turn 16 Ingwe – the hairpin that leads back onto the main straight of Kyalami GP Circuit – Scotsman David Coulthard stood basking in the African sun.

Rain has been scarce in Joburg, so while the track facilities looked as sharp as ever, the brown template of the Highveld stretched towards townhouse clusters and the contemporary architecture of 21st century shopping centres and business parks off into the distance.

With his pit crew assembled around him, the shock of white hair and cool demeanour oozing through chic sunglasses could easily be discerned. It was a moment of water-cooler talk between the small gathering

One could imagine driver and crew chatting about the weather, property prices, the dramatic finale of the Rings of Power, or perhaps even the recent announcement that Adrian Newey would be joining rivals Aston Martin.

Moments later, after a crank on the nearby generator, the 53-year-old former F1 driver was strapped into Red Bull Racing’s RB7, taking instruction of what would be required on this particular run, nodding his head in understanding, the engine humming listlessly, before launching himself down the straight towards the Kink.

It was done all so nonchalantly, that it would be easy to forget – even with the nearby helicopter swooping in low to get the perfect shot – that Coulthard had just propelled himself and the 640kg around him to the tunes of a furious V8 soundtrack, smashing down 750 unadulterated hps – about 560kw – onto the track.

Red Bull’s 2011 car was a championship-winning effort, claiming victory in 12 of the 19 races that season, as Sebastian Vettel secured his second consecutive drivers’ championship, while the team also won the constructors that season. There was nothing as grandiose as that on the line on Friday in the north of Johannesburg, as Coulthard whizzed around Kyalami, but it was certainly a welcome sight to see a F1 car back at the historic venue.

It could easily be heard as it flashed around the 4.5km layout, climbing up to Crowthorne, and then navigating the Sweep before plunging down the back straight past Sunset, Clubhouse, The Esses and Leeuloop, before attacking the riveting Mineshaft, and then moments later appearing rapidly to brake hard into the final corner.

The RB7 won the 2011 drivers’ and constructors’ championship. | . Morgan Bolton Independent Newspapers

It has been over 30 years since South Africa hosted a Grand Prix. Back then, Alain Prost won that event held here in 1993. So, to hear more than see the thunderous roaring of a F1 car on SA soil at Kyalami, brought a tear to the eye and warmth to the heart.

“Sadly, I missed it,” Coulthard said earlier this month, referring to that race, in an interview with Independent Newspapers. “I started in 1994, and ‘93 was the last SA GP.

“I have driven Kyalami in a F1 car and it is a great circuit. It has elevation change and a lot of excitement.”

Coulthard and Co are in Johannesburg to participate in the Red Bull Showrun, which will entertain on Sunday down Katherine Street in Sandton. A sold out crowd of 25 000 spectators is expected to descend onto the venue, speaking to a ravenous appetite the country still has for the sport.

On the day, there will also be a KTM stunt rider, drifting and spinning, but there can be little doubt that the main attraction that has piqued such interest, is seeing Coulthard tackle the exhibition course in the RB7, with all due respect to the other disciplines.

The taste of F1 will be short and sweet on the day, but will surely be memorable. Indeed, after this one experience, it needs to be pumped into the veins.

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