Klien says ’no’ to Red Bull Champ Car offer
''There are hundreds of drivers who would gladly accept this offer,'' he told the 'Austria Presse Agentur'. ''(Toro Rosso test driver Neel) Jani (right) looks forward to it.''
He answered 'typical Klien' when asked why the 23-year-old Austrian had informed the press of his decision on Friday, despite a team agreement to wait until Saturday. Like we said, his career is over.
09/09/06 (GMM) Christian Klien has turned down Red Bull's offer for 2007 of a funded drive in Champ Cars and instead hopes to stay in F1.
In an interview with Osterreichischer Rundfunk, the 23-year-old said he has 'several options' for next year, which are believed to possibly include MF1, Super Aguri and a Toyota test seat.
''I am having conversations with other teams,'' Klien admitted, ''so this is the direction I have decided to push for.''
Swiss daily newspaper 'Blick', meanwhile, reported from Monza that Austrian Klien is supported in his quest to keep driving in formula one by none other than Bernie Ecclestone.
09/08/06 Klien gave an interview to Austrian TV where he said he would not sign a Champ Car deal with PKV and he thinks he can still land at least a test role in F1. His career is over.
09/06/06 The rumors of Christian Klien going to Champ Car in 2007 are strengthening. Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz told autosport.com that Klien has been offered a Red Bull-backed drive with Champ Car team PKV Racing for 2007.
"In US racing he has a fair chance to establish himself there in the top," said Mateschitz.
"He can become a hero there and by this he will remain in the focus of F1 and can offer his services in F1 again."
08/25/05 After it was revealed that either Christian Klien or Tonio Liuzzi will snare the vacant race seat next year, Red Bull 'advisor' Helmut Marko hinted that the unlucky one may not even be retained by the outfit.
Moreover, the winner of the role next to David Coulthard, the Austrian insisted, will be named 'only after (the) season.'
The 'Friday' role is sure to land in the lap of American GP2 speedster Scott Speed, who led his country's charge in the latest 'A1 Grand Prix' test at Paul Ricard on Wednesday.
''We cannot guarantee anything,'' Marko answered to speculation that the trailing youngster would continue to enjoy the energy drink's support.
Helmut, a former F1 driver, added: ''We're not the Austrian republic, which has … officials employed for ever.''