Whither Klien?

If statistics spoke for themselves, Christian Klien would be a dead-certainty to retain his Red Bull drive next to David Coulthard in 2006.

The young Austrian, by the end of the year, will have driven 15 to Vitantonio Liuzzi's 4 grands prix, indicating that Klien is the favored son of countryman and team owner Dietrich Mateschitz.

It might not be so.

Mateschitz, the Red Bull magnate and billionaire, is probably a greater admirer of Italian Liuzzi. Whether 'Tonio' or Christian get the Red Bull or Minardi ride next season, then, is far from settled.

He wondered in Motorsport Aktuell magazine: ''You have to ask, how much potential does Christian have up his sleeve?

''With experience he gets better, because that is a big part of being a quality driver. Whether Klien is at 90, 95, 97 or 100 per cent of his potential, we do not yet know.''

Liuzzi is definitely back in the game. Mateschitz reckons the 24-year-old's 'personality, charisma and natural speed' is perfect for Red Bull.

Demoting Klien to the 'Rookie' camp at Faenza, though, will not be done lightly, the energy drink magnate pledged. ''In order to question his place in the team,'' the team owner admitted, ''you must first also have a better alternative.''