He has enjoyed a new lease of life at newcomers Red Bull and arrives in Northamptonshire this weekend determined to enjoy another chance at home-ground glory after signing a new contract with the team yesterday.

This weekend’s race was as uncertain to be on the Formula One calendar as Coulthard at points last season with genuine fears that Britain would be dropped for the first time in world championship history.

In the build up to the 39th grand prix at Silverstone, Coulthard has issued a passionate defence of the former airfield.

“It has looked for several seasons now that they are desperate to get it off the calendar,” he said.

“For whatever reason Silverstone seems to have to work harder than the other circuits to keep its grand prix.

“Most of the Formula One teams are British and Silverstone gives the opportunity for a cottage industry, which is a big employer of people in the UK, to see what they have created out on the race track.

“We all know it’s a business first but looking at it slightly more romantically or passionately it’s great if we can still have a British Grand Prix because it can absolutely lay claim to being the home of Formula One.”

Coulthard feels criticism of Silverstone’s facilities is unfair.

He added: “Look at Canada’s facilities – absolutely terrible but we endure them because we enjoy the track, the city and the whole atmosphere. Canada’s facilities ae significantly worse than Silverstone.”

Coulthard will enjoy his annual visit to Silverstone even more come Sunday afternoon if he can deliver a maiden podium finish for Red Bull.

However, the former McLaren driver, is downbeat on his chances, saying: “It would be incredible if that was to happen. There are a lot of quick teams out there.

“We obviously are not keeping pace with their development but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility. We are more likely to get it at circuit where reliability is stretched more like Monza.

“I go there with the same motivation and the same desire which is to drive as fast as I can and enjoy it, hopefully coming away with a good result.”

Like most British drivers, Coulthard spent much of his youth at Silverstone as he fought his way through junior championships.

That stood him in good stead as he won on home ground twice, guaranteeing him a warm reception whenever he returns.

“I do enjoy Silverstone,” he said. “It’s one of the first race tracks that I went to. I remember as a boy watching the kart grand prix and things like that, I have a lot of good memories of Silverstone.

“I had the opportunity to win there a couple of times – you still get the same amount of points as any other circuit but you have a lot of family and friends around. Not having Sunday morning qualifying I guess I can fill it with spending time with friends.

“British fans tend to be quite balanced nowadays in their support, supporting foreign drivers as well – it’s not quite as nationalistic as some other countries. But it’s nice to know that they are cheering you on and looking for a good result.”