Coulthard tries a different Formula 1

McClaren driver takes to the water at Skandia Cowes Week

David Coulthard, Team McLaren Mercedes’ British Formula 1 driver, took the wheel of Formula 1 Sailing’s brand new Farr 65 Hugo Boss in the Class 0 race today during Skandia Cowes Week regatta. David Coulthard was coached by 29 year old professional sailor Alex Thomson, founder of Gosport-based Formula 1 Sailing and skipper of the Hugo Boss sailing team.

The black and white Hugo Boss yacht was in a class of her own, though, out on the Solent in the force 5-8 sea breeze, as she started in the top half of the fleet with Coulthard at the helm.

Team McLaren Mercedes driver David Coulthard said of his formula one experience on the water: "I was really nervous steering this 65ft racing machine with so many other boats jockeying for position on the line. Of course the major difference from my usual driving position was being on water, so I had to get the feel of the helm and the boat’s responses, and learned a lot about the analysis of tide and wind to gain speed and position on the racecourse. But I was amazed at the amount of similarities between Formula 1 and sailing too; the satellite technology on board fascinated me, also the carbon materials used to build the rig and the massive loads they take when racing. I’ve had a fantastic day and didn’t want to leave! I’m so impressed with how much responsibility Alex has skippering Hugo Boss and wish him good luck in the Rolex Fastnet Race on Sunday."

Alex Thomson had a good rapport with Coulthard and was equally impressed with the Formula 1 driver’s abilities as the racing helm of Hugo Boss: "The start was spot on, David was very intuitive at the helm and drove the boat well. We were ahead of the other Formula 1 Farr 65s, and the boat is particularly fast downwind. Racing today was about testing the boat’s performance in the lead up to the Rolex Fastnet Race, and we look set to do really well."