Coulthard insists close to DTM race deal

David Coulthard is heading into yet another grand prix weekend hoping to agree a deal to race in the German touring car series DTM in 2010.

The veteran Scot said before last weekend’s Melbourne event that he wanted to find time to sit down with Mercedes’ Norbert Haug in the Albert Park paddock and "complete the final details" of the deal.

"We are close," the winner of 13 F1 races, who turned 39 a few days ago, told Finland’s Turun Sanomat.

"I’m looking forward to doing it (a deal) for Easter," added Coulthard, who travels to all the grands prix as an expert pundit for British television.

Former McLaren driver Coulthard has also urged Lewis Hamilton to quickly appoint a new manager, despite the 2008 world champion saying there is "no rush".

"The folly of not appointing a replacement showed over the (Melbourne) weekend," Coulthard, referring to Hamilton’s brush with Melbourne police followed by on-track dramas.

"Having no manager is like a top tennis player having no coach. It’s fine when you are playing well but as soon as you are struggling people will point to it as a weakness," he added.