Another F1 driver leaves mid-season. Klien exits Red Bull
Discussion
Quite a trend this year isn't it. Perhaps it's the fashionable thing to do.
Klien out at Red Bull Racing
As darkness was falling at Monza on Sunday evening the word in the pitlane was that we will not be seeing Christian Klien again in a Red Bull-Ferrari. We hear that the Austrian youngster told his mechanics that he would not be back in China and that opens up some interesting possibilities for the team. The obvious thing to do would be to promote Tonio Liuzzi from Toro Rosso. He has tested for the team several times this year and factions within Red Bull Racing are keen on the idea. The problem with that is that Toro Rosso boss Gerhard Berger is not going to be keen to lose the Italian as he wants him next year in a Toro Rosso-Renault. Scott Speed might be an idea but then he has not tested the Red Bull and that means that the drive will probably end up with Robert Doornbos getting the ride as he has tested the car on a regular basis this year. That would open up the job of Friday test driver and Red Bull has a number of possibilities for that as well. Red Bull has a string of drivers under contract and could call in any one of them. It might even be able to call in Sebastian Vettel from BMW as he has contracts with both BMW and Red Bull and it is not entriely clear who gets precedence. Vettel has made a good impression with BMW and Red Bull might want to grab him. The team might decide to switch Neel Jani across from Toro Rosso as the Swiss has done a very capable job this year and has F1 experience. Outside F1 the options are rather more limited. Michael Ammermueller is a Red Bull driver but he has been rather disappointing this year in GP2 and the Red Bull folk seem to be a bit more excited about a youngster called Adrian Zaugg, a black South African who races with a Swiss licence. He has been very impressive this year in the Renault World Series. At the moment there does not seem to be a definitive answer as to what will happen but it seems clear that Klien has decided that enough is enough and that he does not want to race for Red Bull in the United States and has been actively looking for a drive in F1 next year, either racing for a smaller team or testing for a big operation. Klien had the opportunity of a Red Bull-funded drive with Kevin Kalkhoven's PKV Racing in Champ Car next year but seems to have concluded that this would be a ticket to nowhere.
It also not clear why Red Bull and Klien have fallen out at this stage but it makes sense for the team to move him aside if it wants to try out others in preparation for the 2007 season.
Gp.com said:
Klien out at Red Bull Racing
As darkness was falling at Monza on Sunday evening the word in the pitlane was that we will not be seeing Christian Klien again in a Red Bull-Ferrari. We hear that the Austrian youngster told his mechanics that he would not be back in China and that opens up some interesting possibilities for the team. The obvious thing to do would be to promote Tonio Liuzzi from Toro Rosso. He has tested for the team several times this year and factions within Red Bull Racing are keen on the idea. The problem with that is that Toro Rosso boss Gerhard Berger is not going to be keen to lose the Italian as he wants him next year in a Toro Rosso-Renault. Scott Speed might be an idea but then he has not tested the Red Bull and that means that the drive will probably end up with Robert Doornbos getting the ride as he has tested the car on a regular basis this year. That would open up the job of Friday test driver and Red Bull has a number of possibilities for that as well. Red Bull has a string of drivers under contract and could call in any one of them. It might even be able to call in Sebastian Vettel from BMW as he has contracts with both BMW and Red Bull and it is not entriely clear who gets precedence. Vettel has made a good impression with BMW and Red Bull might want to grab him. The team might decide to switch Neel Jani across from Toro Rosso as the Swiss has done a very capable job this year and has F1 experience. Outside F1 the options are rather more limited. Michael Ammermueller is a Red Bull driver but he has been rather disappointing this year in GP2 and the Red Bull folk seem to be a bit more excited about a youngster called Adrian Zaugg, a black South African who races with a Swiss licence. He has been very impressive this year in the Renault World Series. At the moment there does not seem to be a definitive answer as to what will happen but it seems clear that Klien has decided that enough is enough and that he does not want to race for Red Bull in the United States and has been actively looking for a drive in F1 next year, either racing for a smaller team or testing for a big operation. Klien had the opportunity of a Red Bull-funded drive with Kevin Kalkhoven's PKV Racing in Champ Car next year but seems to have concluded that this would be a ticket to nowhere.
It also not clear why Red Bull and Klien have fallen out at this stage but it makes sense for the team to move him aside if it wants to try out others in preparation for the 2007 season.
Robert Doornbos has been given the nod to finish the season as Klien's replacement.
Red Bull Racing has announced that the team's third/test driver, Robert Doornbos will replace Christian Klien for the final three races of the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship.
Klien lost his seat alongside David Coulthard, when it was announced last month that Mark Webber would partner the Scot at the Milton-Keynes based outfit in 2007. Although attempts were made to keep Klien in the Red Bull 'family', providing he moved to the DTM or Champ Cars, the Austrian wants to remain in F1, and this has resulted in him cutting his ties with Dietrich Mateschitz.
"Following Christian Klien's decision to pursue other options within Formula One, Red Bull Racing has agreed to release him from his contract with immediate effect," confirmed a statement from RBR. "The team's test and reserve driver Robert Doornbos will contest the last three races of the season for the team, alongside David Coulthard."
Doornbos meanwhile, who made his debut in F1 at the end of last year, when he was drafted in by Minardi for the final eight races of the season replacing Patrick Friesacher, is delighted to get the chance to race again at the pinnacle of the sport in China, Japan and Brazil.
"It's fantastic to know that I'm going to be racing again, I'm really looking forward to it," said the Dutchman. "Friday testing and helping the team this year has been great experience, but to get back out on to the race track on Sunday is what it's all about. I've got to know the guys at Red Bull Racing really well this season, so I'll be working with them all closely to do the best job I can for the team and myself."
Red Bull Racing team boss, Christian Horner believes that Doornbos is the logical replacement: "Further to Christian's recent decision, we have released him to focus on the next stage of his career. Having done a solid job for us in the third car this season and having previously competed in eight grand's prix, Robert is the logical replacement. He will start preparing for his Red Bull Racing debut at the team's test in Jerez this week," concluded Horner.
"Following Christian Klien's decision to pursue other options within Formula One..."
interesting....
If he has left mid-season he must have a definate F1 drive sorted either a race seat or 3rd driver seat at a good team. Certainly if they have kicked him out it must be a rival he's going to. So where are all the spare seats, McLaren partnering Alonso? McLaren test driver to fill a gap if they promote one of the current 3 in line for a drive? Spyker F1? I can only really think of those 2 teams who have any questions over driver lineup.
Crash.net said:
Red Bull Racing has announced that the team's third/test driver, Robert Doornbos will replace Christian Klien for the final three races of the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship.
Klien lost his seat alongside David Coulthard, when it was announced last month that Mark Webber would partner the Scot at the Milton-Keynes based outfit in 2007. Although attempts were made to keep Klien in the Red Bull 'family', providing he moved to the DTM or Champ Cars, the Austrian wants to remain in F1, and this has resulted in him cutting his ties with Dietrich Mateschitz.
"Following Christian Klien's decision to pursue other options within Formula One, Red Bull Racing has agreed to release him from his contract with immediate effect," confirmed a statement from RBR. "The team's test and reserve driver Robert Doornbos will contest the last three races of the season for the team, alongside David Coulthard."
Doornbos meanwhile, who made his debut in F1 at the end of last year, when he was drafted in by Minardi for the final eight races of the season replacing Patrick Friesacher, is delighted to get the chance to race again at the pinnacle of the sport in China, Japan and Brazil.
"It's fantastic to know that I'm going to be racing again, I'm really looking forward to it," said the Dutchman. "Friday testing and helping the team this year has been great experience, but to get back out on to the race track on Sunday is what it's all about. I've got to know the guys at Red Bull Racing really well this season, so I'll be working with them all closely to do the best job I can for the team and myself."
Red Bull Racing team boss, Christian Horner believes that Doornbos is the logical replacement: "Further to Christian's recent decision, we have released him to focus on the next stage of his career. Having done a solid job for us in the third car this season and having previously competed in eight grand's prix, Robert is the logical replacement. He will start preparing for his Red Bull Racing debut at the team's test in Jerez this week," concluded Horner.
"Following Christian Klien's decision to pursue other options within Formula One..."
interesting.... If he has left mid-season he must have a definate F1 drive sorted either a race seat or 3rd driver seat at a good team. Certainly if they have kicked him out it must be a rival he's going to. So where are all the spare seats, McLaren partnering Alonso? McLaren test driver to fill a gap if they promote one of the current 3 in line for a drive? Spyker F1? I can only really think of those 2 teams who have any questions over driver lineup.
Edited by FourWheelDrift on Monday 11th September 12:52
FourWheelDrift said:
If he has left mid-season he must have a definate F1 drive sorted either a race seat or 3rd driver seat at a good team. Certainly if they have kicked him out it must be a rival he's going to. So where are all the spare seats, McLaren partnering Alonso? McLaren test driver to fill a gap if they promote one of the current 3 in line for a drive? Spyker F1? I can only really think of those 2 teams who have any questions over driver lineup.
Edited by FourWheelDrift on Monday 11th September 12:52
It would appear it's Spyker that Klien will be switching to, according to the BBC at least: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motor
Gp.com said:
It also not clear why Red Bull and Klien have fallen out at this stage but it makes sense for the team to move him aside if it wants to try out others in preparation for the 2007 season.
RBR have already signed Mark Webber to partner David Coulthard for next year so this is an odd comment??
Bennno
It's because Klien was a Red Bull personally sponsored driver and has been for a while and they have been looking to move him into another Red Bull sponsored IRL/Cart/Nascar you name it team, but he's severing his ties with them so they said 'so long and thanks for all the fish'.
Bit like when Dario Franchitti (Mercedes squad driver in DTM, ITC and CART) left the Hogan-Mercedes team to go to a Honda powered team, they were less than happy at the time.
Bit like when Dario Franchitti (Mercedes squad driver in DTM, ITC and CART) left the Hogan-Mercedes team to go to a Honda powered team, they were less than happy at the time.
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