Will Champ Car try to lure Coulthard?

David Coulthard hopes this weekend's race won't be his last. The Scot will be replaced by Juan Pablo Montoya next year and faces an uncertain future with no deals for 2005 in the pipeline. The 33-year-old hopes Brazil will not be his final race and has once again reiterated that he's not ready to hang up his helmet just yet. He said: "There is no denying that Brazil will be a weekend of mixed emotions for me, as it has been a great nine seasons with the team." I believe I have the pace, desire and ability to be competitive, and as I have stated I am not ready to retire. I am continuing to try and get a drive next year, but if I don't then I'll try the following year."

As Champ Car tries to make its big push onto the global market in 2005, it is in desperate need of a couple of big-name drivers who are known worldwide. Coulthard fits that bill perfectly. At 33 he's still young, he's fast, and he's popular around the world. He will probably want to be paid to drive, but can OWRS afford not to pay for a couple of big names that will help bring the series back to the prominence it once enjoyed? Mark C.