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Date of Birth: 27 March 1971
Birthplace: Twynholm, Scotland
Marital status: Single
Height: 182cm
Weight: 75kg
Wins: 12
Points Score: 400
Number of GP: 141
Pole Positions: 12
Podiums: 57
First GP: 1994 (Barcelona)
Best Result: Win
Current Team: McLaren Mecerdes |
History:
83/85 : |
Scottish Junior Kart Champion. |
86/88 : |
Scottish Open Kart Champion |
1989 : |
British FF1600 Champion. |
1990 : |
British Vauxhall Lotus Series, 4th. |
1991 : |
Formula 3, 2nd. |
1992 : |
Formula 3000, 9th |
1993 : |
Formula 3000, 3rd |
1994 : |
Formula 1 (Williams), 8th with 14 points. |
1995 : |
Formula 1 (Williams), 3rd with 49 points. |
1996 : |
Formula 1 (McLaren), 7th with 18 points. |
1997 : |
Formula 1 (McLaren), 3rd with 36 points. |
1998 : |
Formula 1 (McLaren), 3rd with 56 points. |
1999 : |
Formula 1 (McLaren), 4th with 48 points. |
2000 : |
Formula 1 (McLaren), 3rd with 73 points. |
2001 : |
Formula 1 (McLaren), 2nd with 65 points. |
2002 : |
Formula 1 (McLaren), 5th with 41 points. |
Career:
David had a very successful career in Karts,
then graduated to Formula Ford in 1989, where he drove so well, that he won the
first ever McLaren/Autosport Young Driver of the Year award. The prize just
happened to be his first ever drive in a Formula One car. He made short work of
the junior categories after that, even after missing several races due to a
broken leg received in an accident at Spa in 1990. His reputation received a
major boost in 1991, by winning both the International Formula Three races at
Zandvoort, and Macau.
He finished 9th overall in Formula 3000 in 1992 for
Paul Stewart Racing and third overall in 93. His greatest success for that year
was his role as test driver for Williams, but 94 didn't bring him the drive he
was hoping for, so he planned to continue in F3000, and test-driving. Tragedy
stepped in though, and Sennas' death at Imola in 94 saw him move into the
Williams team as a full time driver, and although he only competed in 8 races
that year, he finished 8th overall.
1995 saw him continuing to drive for
Williams, along side Damon Hill, winning his first Grand Prix in Portugal,
beating both Michael Schumacher in the Benetton, and his own teammate. He
finished third for the season with 49 points. In 1996 he switched to McLaren,
partner to Mika Hakkinen, where he still remains. Although both drivers
struggled to keep pace with Williams, David won the season opener in Australia
97, putting McLaren back on the winning track. Winning again in Monza, he
finished equal third with Jean Alesi in the Drivers Championship.
1998
saw McLaren take the Constructors championship, but David had his share of ups
and downs, winning his only race for the season at San Marino. Pit stop
confusion, accidents, and the occasional mechanical problem didn't slow him too
much, as he finished third overall with 56 points, behind the battle between
Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen.
In 99, he once again fought
gremlins, his car failing just as he started to get somewhere, but he finally
saw his first win for the season at the eventful British Grand Prix. Although he
continued to challenge his teammate, he ended up finishing fourth in the Drivers
championship. He continued to partner double World Champion Mika Hakkinen in
2000, a season that saw him even more determined that ever before. A serious
plane crash that saw the death of both pilots seemed to give the Scot a new
lease on life. However, despite a very strong challenge for championship glory,
he finished third in the standings.
2001 was a year plagued with
reliability problems for the team and despite his gallant efforts, he just
couldn't match the performance of a very dominant Michael Schumacher. Finishing
second to the German, David ended the year well ahead of teammate Mika Hakkinen,
who opted to sit the 2002 season out, ending what was the longest partnership in
the history of the sport.
David partnered young Kimi Raikkonen in 2002 with fresh hope that it would
finally be his year to shine, but once again it wasn't to be. The McLaren
charger wasn't up to par with its rivals and David was forced to settle for
fifth in the championship while the Woking team slipped to third on the
constructor's ladder.
The new 2003 contender won't be introduced until
the fourth round of the season, but once again David is hoping that it will be
all he is anticipating and will once again be in the title hunt.