Coulthard linked to Ferrari? - 19th November 18:56pm GMT

David Coulthard may be forced to spend a year testing a car for his greatest rival in Formula One while he waits for his chance to make a comeback. Hopes for a drive with a racing team are fading fast but an opportunity may be waiting in the wings with Coulthard suggested as a possible test driver for Ferrari. That would mean the Scot developing a car for Michael Schumacher, with whom he did battle for many of his 13 grand-prix victories.

Coulthard wants to race in 2005 but it seems likely that BMW-Williams will choose a young gun: either Antonio Pizzonia or Anthony Davidson, who tests for the team next month. At the new Red Bull Racing team — formerly Jaguar — Davidson is also among the first choices, as is Vitantonio Liuzzi, who won the Formula 3000 title last season.

Coulthard is thought to have been in contact with Ferrari and Renault for a job as test driver. But he will want to avoid the trap that befell Jacques Villeneuve, one of his closest friends. The FrenchCanadian returned to the track with Renault for the final three races of last season after a year out and struggled badly, unable to find the pace of Formula One even after a short break.

Coulthard believes that he could keep himself sharp by testing until a new opportunity arises, possibly with Team Dubai, a consortium reported to be ready to spend £600 million over seven years if they enter Formula One in 2006.