David Coulthard is determined not to be driven into retirement by critics who say the chequered flag should fall on his Grand Prix career.

Coulthard's speed and judgement were being questioned after he left a trail of Red Bull wreckage around the tracks hosting the first six races of the season.

But he believes third place in Canada a fortnight ago, his 62nd podium from 235 Grand Prix starts, has restored his reputation for being a real racer even at the comparatively advanced age of 37.

The six points Coulthard bagged in Montreal were his first of 2008, and now he believes he can score again in Sunday's French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours.

The Scot said today: "I'm long enough in the sport to know you're only as good as your last race. But if the previous six results didn't look so good, I knew it was because of circumstance rather than a lack of pace or desire.

"I won't deny that third place was a timely result after my nightmare start to the season but I wouldn't say I felt I had a point to prove. The bottom line is that I race for myself and the team, not for anyone else.

"Of course, with the benefit of hindsight, I would change some of the decisions I made earlier in the season. But those were less a case of making rash or ill-judged moves and more about understanding the risks that some other drivers would take in order to pass me.

"With a spate of incidents and no points on the board, the spotlight gets shined on you. But I'm satisfied I'm performing at a high level and delighted to finally have a tangible result to show for it."

Coulthard, understood to be in talks over a new contract with Red Bull, is buoyed by the test that will be posed by Magny-Cours. He said: "It's a very challenging track but I like it and I'm confident we can bring in another strong performance."

Another driver aiming to defy the assumption that F1 is a young man's sport is Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion who wants to make a Grand Prix comeback at the age of 37.

Second place in the Le Mans 24-hour sports car race on Sunday has whetted his appetite.

Villeneuve admitted: "I'm open to the idea, certainly with the new technical situation. If the chance comes, I'd love to get back to work."