26 Oct 2026・5 min read For someone who earned a living driving at 200 miles per hour, David Coulthard has a confession that may surprise those listening to him speak at the ninth annual ADNOC Safety Day. “Formula 1 drivers – me, my former colleagues, current drivers – we are risk-averse,” says the 13-time Grand Prix winner. “We don’t like risk. We don’t like leaving things to chance.” Coulthard understands the consequences of risk more than most. His F1 career began in tragic circumstances in 1994, when he replaced Ayrton Senna at Williams after the three- time world champion was killed in a high-speed crash at Imola. “He was one of the greatest drivers,” says Coulthard of the legendary Brazilian, “and we were faced with a scenario where, if one of the greatest could lose their life in a Grand Prix car, then we are clearly failing the greats.”