Coulthard makes American landmark comparison in defending British F1 status

David Coulthard insists the United Kingdom is the "Silicon Valley" of motorsport engineering and design, given the nation's success in F1.

The Scottish former F1 driver believes that because the British are "a bit more reserved" it is not as widely known or accepted how "brilliant" the UK is at designing racing cars, something he feels would be different in America.

Of the 10 teams currently competing in F1, only three - Ferrari, Haas and Racing Bulls - are located outside the UK, underlining the influence Great Britain has on global motorsport.

"We've got so much to shout about in the UK," the 53-year-old told The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X.

"If we were American, everybody would know how brilliant we are at designing racing cars, and we've had a lot of brilliant drivers and a number of world champions.

"But we're British, so we tend to be a bit more reserved about [it]. There are only three of the Formula 1 teams that aren't based in the UK. We are the Silicon Valley of engineering and design and build of fast race cars."

Comparison to Hill and Button

Coulthard had a successful career in F1, spanning from 1994 to 2008. After breaking through at Williams, where he won his first grand prix in 1995, he moved to McLaren.

After nine years and a further 12 victories, Coulthard joined fledgling Red Bull for the 2005 season, where he helped develop the Milton Keynes squad into the team it is today.

Whilst he did not attain ultimate success in F1, he walked the same path as British F1 drivers' champions, like Damon Hill and Jenson Button.

"I was moderately successful, and I definitely didn't fall into the category of being the best of the best, but I clearly was good enough to enter the sport, given great support from the mainly British teams," he recalled.

"Sir Frank Williams, gave me my opportunity in the same way he gave Damon Hill, Jenson Button – Nigel Mansell came in via Lotus, but he won his world championship at Williams."