Coulthard in his DTM car at Brands

Former F1 driver David Coulthard faces his first return to Brands in a racing car in 18 years when the DTM Touring Car Championship comes to the circuit on September 3-5.

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It is the flying Scotsman’s first appearance in a UK race since the end of his Grand Prix career.

Coulthard said: “I knew when my time in Formula One had come to an end, and DTM ticked the boxes for what I want - the adrenaline of pushing myself to the limit and the aspect of being part of a team.

“It’s completely alien from everything I’ve known in my career: in single seaters, everything’s built around the driver, whereas in touring cars you’re set off to one side.

“I liken it to someone who plays tennis being given a squash racket; it’s essentially the same but subtly different, and just because you’re good at tennis doesn’t mean you’re good at squash. The challenge for me is to see whether I can become good at this type of racing.”

He relishes the fact that DTM draws crowds in excess of 100,000, more than some Grand Prix and is keen to continue what he has learnt into 2011, if he gets the green light.

“Apart from at Zandvoort last time out, my qualifying has been improving and I’m getting closer and closer to mid grid, which is not too bad for a 2008 car,” he added.

“It would be a shame having learnt some of the tracks this season not to use that knowledge next year. However it’s something for Norbert (Haug) and I to sit down and talk about, and I haven’t had that conversation with him yet.”

McLaren test driver, Gary Paffett, from Bromley and Force India Reserve driver, Paul di Resta, are two of his DTM rivals.

Coulthard said: “Gary Paffett and Paul di Resta are two stars of the series. They’re both young and would definitely be good drivers if they had the opportunity in Formula One.”