Coulthard to be Red Bull reserve in China

David Coulthard will be Red Bull’s formula one reserve driver for the Chinese grand prix weekend.

The energy drink company’s regular joint reserve drivers, Daniel Ricciardo and Brendon Hartley, are not in Shanghai.

Instead, the pair are in Spain for the start of their 2010 racing season in the Renault World Series.  They both drive for the French Tech 1 team.

Australian Ricciardo, 20, insists he is able to manage splitting his time between racing and attending many grands prix in 2010.

“It’s important to be able to cope with the pressure and the number of events to prepare you for a possible future in F1,” he said.

A Red Bull Racing spokeswoman confirmed on Thursday that, with Hartley and New Zealander Hartley not available, 39-year-old Coulthard will be on reserve duty in China.

The Scottish veteran, who has signed to drive a Mercedes in the 2010 DTM championship, attends grands prix as an expert pundit for British television BBC.

© RIF|GMM