Mar.25 (GMM) David Coulthard has hinted he is close to agreeing a deal to race with Mercedes in the German touring car series DTM in 2010.

After a couple of tests with the marque, it was suggested the Scot's move might have been thwarted by the strained relationship at present between Mercedes and Red Bull.

"The only thing left to do is to sit down with Norbert Haug to complete the final details," said the former grand prix driver, who turns 39 on Saturday.

It was suggested Red Bull, with whom Coulthard is seen at grands prix, was unhappy after Mercedes recently inked a sponsorship contract with rival energy drinks brand Monster.

But Coulthard suggests that his DTM ride is still on.

"Maybe I will get a chance this weekend in Australia to try to talk to him (Haug). Failing that, it will be before the (DTM) season opener in Hockenheim (in late April).

"A handshake is enough for me to seal an agreement," added the Scot.

Dutch press reports said Coulthard will continue to travel to the grands prix as an expert pundit for British television.

Ralf Schumacher has now signed up for another DTM season, and other F1 names in the 2010 series are McLaren reserve Gary Paffett and Force India's Friday driver Paul di Resta.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version