Coulthard suggests rule change for Verstappen competition

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has suggested a rule change to help create more competition against Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman was unstoppable on his run to a third world title, taking 19 wins out of a possible 22 races last season. Sergio Perez also took two wins, making Red Bull's tally for the season 21 victories.

The season of domination has left other teams scratching their heads, as they look to close the gap over the winter break.

Coulthard, who used to race for Red Bull between 2006 and 2008, knows a way that could disrupt Red Bull in a specific area of the regulations.

"I don't think there's a desire right now to have a tyre competition, but I think it would be better," the Scot said on the podcast Formula for Success.

"Sometimes it would be Pirelli that had the right tyre for the circuit and sometimes, let's say for argument's sake, it was Bridgestone would have the right tyre.

"You would naturally have this competitive shift circuit to circuit based on the only thing that touches the ground, which is the tyres."

Tyre war problems

F1 has not had a tyre war since the 2006 season, when it was between Michelin and Bridgestone. From 2007 there has been a sole tyre supplier, with Bridgestone initially providing tyres before Pirelli took over in 2011.

Pirelli will remain F1's sole tyre supplier until 2027, following a recent tender put out by the FIA.

Former team owner, Eddie Jordan, fears that a tyre war could end with manufacturers only preferring teams that can win titles on the grid.

"I don't know how you would get the competition in there without having the free fall of the big money," said Jordan.