A celebration for motorsport enthusiasts in general and Formula 1 fans in particular: that’s what the Racing Day in Assen is all about this year. Now an unmissable event, this 25th anniversary edition features the crowd-pulling RB7 from Red Bull. Behind the wheel: David Coulthard, who remains a popular figure.
While he may not be Max Verstappen, Coulthard’s popularity in Assen is undeniable. The former Formula 1 driver from Scotland will be showcasing the RB7 in several demonstration runs over the weekend. This is expected to draw significant attention during the annual Racing Day at the TT Circuit.
“It’s always great to do demonstrations, to bring the sport closer to the people. And yes, that sounds cliché, I know. But it’s really true. You can see it in Assen, in the city and on the circuit,” says Coulthard during one of his appearances. “Everyone knows that the Netherlands is crazy about motorsport. The influence of Max Verstappen is visible, it’s wonderful. But the people here are also real enthusiasts.”
The audience is captivated by the RB7, a car that sparks the imagination. Coulthard himself never raced in it. “But it’s certainly a fine car,” says the Scot. The RB7 dates back to 2011, the year Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber were active for the team. That year, the German became world champion for the second time.
“Of course, it’s very different now, even compared to my time as a driver,” Coulthard acknowledges. “But giving demos, that’s always fun.” The competitive element may be missing, but that doesn’t bother him. Laughing, he says, “That time has passed. I want to entertain people with a showrun, to share the joy of driving such a car. That’s always beautiful, from Sarajevo to Assen; there are F1 fans everywhere. And I understand them. Because although I may be the one driving these cars, in the end, I’m a fan myself.”
