F1 driver claims he had alcohol 30 minutes prior to qualifying and managed to secure pole position

David Coulthard, who had a lengthy and exciting Formula One career from 1994 to 2008, has disclosed that he once consumed alcohol just before a qualifying session.

A former Formula One driver has recounted drinking alcohol just before a qualifying session and then winning pole.

Driving for Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull, David Coulthard had a lengthy and exciting Formula One career from 1994 to 2008. The 13-time grand prix winner was known for being extremely professional on the track but also a bit of a party animal off the track.

On one occasion, though, he was forced to consume alcohol just before a qualifying session at Monza, the quickest track in Formula One, where speeds frequently exceed 200 mph. The incident in question occurred during Coulthard’s first full Formula One season (1995 Italian Grand Prix).

On the Formula For Success podcast, which he co-hosts with former Jordan team owner Eddie Jordan, Coulthard recounted the story.

Special guest Gerhard Berger, an F1 racer from the 1980s and 1990s, spoke with the Scot about his experience, saying, “You pulled me in and convinced me that it’s tradition in Monza to have a schnapps before qualifying.” You were a grand prix winner, and I was a young, naive driver. There’s Niki Lauda, the three-time world champion.

Naturally, you people had planned this, and since I was afraid to turn them down, they produced three tiny cups that resembled schnapps. They were definitely consuming water.

I was given a schnapps by them. About 30 minutes remain until qualification. I grab the schnapps, head outside, and take the lead. I have a pole.

Berger, a ten-time grand prix winner and driver for teams including Ferrari, McLaren, and Benetton, openly acknowledged consuming alcohol before to qualifying sessions. “David, I always drink amaretto and then an espresso before qualifying,” he remarked.

Even though Coulthard won the pole, his spin off on the warm-up lap made the race a complete disaster. Even though he managed to restart, he lost the lead and fellow Brit Johnny Herbert won.