Monday 14 July at 17:40 : David Coulthard has confirmed he is expecting later this year to become a father for the first time.

We reported last month that the Scottish veteran's fiancee Karen Minier, a former F1 TV journalist for France's TF1, is pregnant.

But while Coulthard, 37, now acknowledges the timing of the news with his impending retirement is "convenient", he also insists the two events are not overly related.

"That wasn't the deciding factor because plenty of drivers have children and continue with their careers," he wrote in his column for ITV.

Meanwhile, having endorsed German youngster Sebastian Vettel to take over from him at Red Bull next year, Coulthard also addresses speculation that Fernando Alonso may be on the market for 2009.

"(The seat) should go to the quickest guy with a proven track record who is available," said Coulthard, who will stay at RBR as a team consultant next year.

"That might be Fernando Alonso for instance; if the team could get him that would make sense because he has great credentials as a double world champion.

"But if we assume he's not available, then it's completely logical to take Sebastian Vettel, who is within the Red Bull family, is performing well at Toro Rosso and naturally wants to progress to the larger team," he added.