David Coulthard explains his pivotal role in Sebastian Vettel becoming a Red Bull driver

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Red Bull Racing have been on the grid for 20 years and enjoyed two periods of domination.

Max Verstappen can clinch his fourth world championship on the bounce if he wins the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The Dutchman has been incredible this season, and unlike the past two years where he’s had a superior car, he’s had to work extremely hard to maintain his advantage over Lando Norris.

However, Verstappen isn’t the first Red Bull driver to achieve this feat.

Sebastian Vettel was the first driver to dominate Formula 1 in a Red Bull, winning every Drivers’ Championship between 2010 and 2013.

He had a phenomenal – if at times tetchy – relationship with teammate Mark Webber and achieved 38 victories with the Anglo-Austrian team.

David Coulthard played a key role in Red Bull’s emergence in Formula 1, driving for the team in each of their first four seasons before he was replaced by Vettel.

The Scot has now shared the story on The Red Flags Podcast about how he played a key role in Vettel getting his opportunity with Red Bull.

It’s safe to say his manager at the time Martin Brundle wasn’t happy when he found out what he did.

David Coulthard shares the role he played in Sebastian Vettel racing for Red Bull

Talking about how Vettel earned a Red Bull test when Coulthard was injured, the Scot said: “My manager at the time was Martin Brundle, who works as a legendary broadcaster with Sky.

“It was perfect because when I spoke to my manager, he not only knew all the teams and the team principles, but he also knew what it was like to drive a Grand Prix car.

“A good decision and Martin and I worked together I think for 10 years but yeah, when I told him at the time, I phoned him up and said, I’ve tweaked my neck, I can’t drive today but I put Sebastian in the car, I spoke to Christian, I said, look there’s no point in the car sitting there.

“He was testing with Toro Rosso and Martin’s said it’s like a turkey voting for Thanksgiving or Christmas!

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

“And I thought that was quite a funny way of looking at it.

“I just felt it was part of my role coming towards the end of my career to help the team get confirmation of where the future lay.

“And I think that’s why I’ve maintained a good relationship with Red Bull 16 years after I stopped racing for them.

“I wasn’t forced out the door, I went willingly, I did my time, I loved my time in Formula 1.”

David Coulthard didn’t agree with key stage in Sebastian Vettel’s F1 development

Vettel started life in F1 with BMW Sauber before being picked up by Red Bull in 2007.

He was placed in their junior team Toro Rosso and the following season achieved the team’s first victory at Monza before the senior Red Bull team had managed to achieve their maiden win.

READ MORE: David Coulthard names his top three Red Bull F1 drivers and takes sly dig at ‘boy man’ Daniel Ricciardo

Coulthard disagreed with the existence of Toro Rosso and believed that all of Red Bull’s resources should be concentrated on one team.

The junior team has had mixed results in developing drivers who are fast enough to race for Red Bull.

It’s a debate that still exists today, with Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda being assessed as potential options to replace Sergio Perez for next season.