Former Formula 1 driver turned businessman and television pundit David Coulthard has been elected President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC).
Coulthard was elected during the Club’s Annual General Meeting this week and takes over from Paddy Hopkirk, who has held the role since 2017.
The Scottish racer has been a member of the BRDC since 1989 when he won the British Formula Ford Championship and became the first recipient of the prestigious BRDC McLaren Autosport Award. Since then he has driven for Williams, McLaren and Red Bull in F1, chalking up 13 victories.
In addition to his business and commentating duties, the 48-year-old has been a supporter of and ambassador for the W Series – an all female racing series aimed at nurturing female motorsport talent.
In addition to Coulthard, Dario Franchitti was elected Vice President of the Club in recognition of his extraordinary achievements as a driver which include winning the IndyCar Championship four times, the Indianapolis 500 three times and the Daytona 24 Hours.
BRDC Chairman John Grant believes both appointments will be of great benefit to the BRDC's future.
"I and my fellow Board Members are delighted to welcome David Coulthard as President of the BRDC," said Grant. "We are confident that, in David, we have a President who is not only a greatly talented racing driver but also a successful businessman with an enviable network of contacts in the motorsport world which, together with his experience, should be of great benefit to the Club.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Paddy for the enormous personal commitment he has given to the BRDC over the last two years in fulfilling the role of BRDC President, adding value to our Club that would not have happened without the immense energy and personal reputation he has brought to the task. I am delighted that he has agreed to become once again a Vice President of the BRDC.
"We also welcome Dario Franchitti MBE who deservedly becomes a Vice President of our Club and joins an illustrious line up of names that have competed at the highest level of our sport and made a massive contribution to the world of motor racing."
The BRDC is a closed membership club with 850 members. It owns and operates the Silverstone Circuit, which is the home of British motorsport, including the British Grand Prix.
