Vettel to replace Coulthard at Red Bull

One of the first pieces in the 2009 Formula One jigsaw fell into place yesterday with the announcement in Hockenheim that Sebastian Vettel will transfer from energy drink magnate Dietrich Mateschitz's Toro Rosso team to his senior Red Bull Racing outfit. The 21 year-old German will replace David Coulthard, who announced at Silverstone that he will retire at the end of this season.

F1 news briefs: Friday (Coulthard expects child, Silverstone regrets, USGP no return)

Jul.4 (GMM) David Coulthard's fiancee Karen Minier is pregnant, according to the Swiss newspaper Blick. Soon-to-be-retired Coulthard and Minier, a former F1 TV journalist for France's TF1, have been engaged for two years. He has a beautiful fiancee to look after, friend and rival Jenson Button said at Silverstone on Friday in contemplation of Coulthard's final British grand prix.

Mark Webber: 'Hamilton? Only the English are interested'

No people on earth pursue sporting victory as single-mindedly as the Australians; no nation has less truck with the Corinthian notion that winning is less important than taking part. So when the 2008 Formula One season whines into action in Melbourne on Sunday, one wonders how the locals will take to the idea that they have only one compatriot on the Albert Park track, and that he has a negligible chance of winning the race.

Coulthard set retire on long F1 career

Jul.1 (GMM) The strong rumour in the days before the British grand prix is that David Coulthard will announce his retirement from formula one this weekend at Silverstone.

Wheel of fortune turns for David Coulthard

Fantastic to see David Coulthard back on the podium after all this time. Few would begrudge the big-jawed Caledonian a restorative victory after some frustrating seasons. True, it was only ITV's All Star Mr & Mrs, but confidence is the key word here.

McLaren driver Kovalainen takes maiden pole at British GP (AFP)

AFP - A delighted Heikki Kovalainen grabbed his maiden Formula One pole position on Saturday with a near-flawless qualifying display at the British Grand Prix.