Three-time world champion Niki Lauda has called on fellow-Austrian, Dietrich Mateschitz, to seriously consider former McLaren star David coulthard, when choosing drivers for his Red Bull team for 2005.

"They must sign up the right people so the car is successful quickly," said Lauda. "Coulthard's free and would be a good solution because of his experience."

Whether Mateschitz will take any notice of the former champion remains to be seen, however it should not be forgotten that Lauda hardly covered himself in glory during his time as boss at Jaguar, though Ford's continued interference cannot have helped.

Although Red Bull's management hasn't ruled out Coulthard, with Tony Purnell admitting that the Scot would be considered, it's widely felt that the team will look at younger, dare we say more glamorous, drivers, with Vitantonio Liuzzi seemingly at the top of the 'wants list'.

Mateschitz has a reputation for encouraging young drivers, such as 21-year-old Klien and reigning Formula 3000 champion, Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi.