Klien to BMW in 2006?

Red Bull are said to be trying to place Christian Klien with the new Sauber/BMW alliance next year, a move that would allow the Austrian company to squeeze five of its drivers on to the F1 grid in 2006. It seems that the plan being considered should Klien land a drive elsewhere is to put Vitantonio Liuzzi in with David Coulthard at Red Bull Racing, a move that would leave a seat free for Swiss GP2 driver Neel Jani alongside Scott Speed at the team currently known as Minardi. That would make the latter into a genuine junior team, with two rookies.

Speed is considered by all parties to be definite choice for Minardi next year. Ironically is seems that, while Red Bull is trying to place Klien, it is equally keen to hang on to Speed. Shortly before Red Bull's negotiations with Paul Stoddart became public it was announced that Speed would become a test driver for Red Bull Racing. At the time Williams were taking a keen interest in him, and it is thought that the announcement was made as a signal that the American would not be available.

Intriguingly, Speed drives for the iSport GP2 outfit, in which Sir Frank's son Jonathan – the F1 team's influential talent scout – is involved. He would also clearly be of interest to Budweiser, one of the few current sponsors expected to stay with Williams next year. More at Sky Sports