Dayton Coulthard steps into car racing with GB4 debut

©JakobEbrey

40

Dayton Coulthard, the 16-year-old son of Grand Prix winner David Coulthard, is set to begin a new chapter in his motorsport career, stepping up from karting to single-seater racing.

This season, Dayton will compete in the British GB4 series with Douglas Motorsport, marking his debut in car racing after a successful run in karting.

Having first entered the world of karting in 2019, Coulthard Jr. has steadily climbed the ranks, with his most notable achievement being his victory in the WM Plate at Whilton Mill in 2024.

His transition to the GB4 championship comes as Douglas Motorsport makes its return to the series after a year away, providing an ideal platform for the young racer to make his mark.

A Promising Start with Douglas Motorsport

Coulthard has already begun testing the newly introduced GB4 car for the 2025 season, which is based on the previous GB3 model.

Speaking about his leap into single-seaters, the young gun expressed excitement and determination to embrace the challenges ahead:

“I’m looking forward to working with Douglas Motorsport for the 2025 GB4 season,” said the young ‘DC’.

“Moving into cars means I’ll have plenty to learn, and I believe that the team can definitely help with my development.”

Douglas Motorsport team boss Wayne Douglas echoed this enthusiasm, highlighting the potential Coulthard has already demonstrated during early testing sessions.

“We’re extremely excited to be working with Dayton as he prepares for his first races in single-seaters,” said Douglas.

“He’s shown lots of promise so far with good progression, and we look forward to working with him to develop that talent as the season progresses.

“The jump from karting to single-seaters is a big one, but one that Dayton is ready for, and we’re hopeful of ever stronger results as he gains further experience.”

Carrying the Coulthard Legacy

As the son of a 13-time Formula 1 race winner, Dayton steps into motorsport with a name – and a helmet design – already steeped in racing history.

While expectations may be high, the young Coulthard is focused on carving his own path.

With Douglas Motorsport’s guidance and his proven skillset from karting, the entry level GB4 series provides the perfect environment for him to adapt to the demands of car racing.

A Growing Grid of Racing Talent

Coulthard’s arrival in the GB4 series adds to an exciting roster of young drivers making their car racing debuts.

Notably, he is joined on the 2025 grid by another famous name: Luca Magnussen, the 15-year-old son of former Stewart Grand Prix driver Jan Magnussen and half-brother of Haas F1’s Kevin Magnussen.

As two sons of former F1 drivers prepare to go head-to-head in the highly competitive GB4 series, the stage is set for an intriguing season filled with youthful talent and family legacies.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.