» DC to juggle commentary and racing in 2012?

Former F1 Grand Prix winner David Coulthard holds out hopes that he will be able to remain in the DTM series long-term, with the addition of new manufacturers to the grid in the coming years.

But with DC also linked to a full-time role in the BBC F1 commentary box (as the replacement to the unpopular Jonathan Legard) alongside Martin Brundle, just how will he manage to juggle to both responsibilities?

One of the plus sides is that the scheduling of the 2011 DTM rounds does not clash with any of the Formula 1 race weekends, effectively freeing him up to dovetail in both roles, as he managed to do in 2010 when he drove for Mercedes-Benz and performed his role as a pundit on BBC F1’s race broadcasts.

BMW has already announced it will return with its M3 models for the 2012 season, and other manufacturers such as Opel and Nissan are also linked with the series. Furthermore, representatives from the championship met with several Asian carmakers during the championship’s season finale at Shanghai in November, and it is believed that up to four manufacturers will be present for the opening round of the 2011 campaign.

Coulthard scored his first DTM championship point at the season-closing round, and it is expected that he will remain with Mercedes-Benz in 2011, although probably continuing to run an older-spec car in deference to the championship’s younger drivers.

“BMW coming in gives me a desire to stay in 2012,” he said. “Also, there will be new cars then as well.

“That creates a level playing field for someone like me who has only just come in,” he added. “I’d like to be around to experience the new formula, but if it doesn’t happen, I won’t shed any tears.”

[Original image via LAT]