HRT F1 signs Christian Klien as test driver

Christian Klien – did he buy his ride to be a Friday track cleaner?

The HRT F1 Team is pleased to announce that it has signed Austrian Christian Klien to the role of Reserve and Test Driver in addition to Japan’s Sakon Yamamoto.

Dr. Colin Kolles, Team Principal of HRT F1 Team, commented: “We are very proud to welcome Christian Klien to HRT F1 Team. He is a young and fast driver. I have been keeping a close eye on him since his first races in the ADAC series as I believe he has great potential. We look forward to having Christian alongside us in Barcelona later this week so he can spend some valuable familiarization time with the team. As a young team we are looking for drivers who can grow with us."

The 27 year old Austrian, who came 3rd on the podium in the 2008 Le Mans 24h – LMP1 class has also been a test driver in 2007 at Honda Racing F1 Team, also testing briefly for Spyker F1 Team and Force India F1, and in 2008 and 2009 at BMW Sauber F1 Team. He drove his maiden season of F1 with Jaguar Racing 2004 at only just 21 years, and then Red Bull Racing for two seasons (2005-2006).

Christian Klien will be part of the team’s race weekend preparations and drive on Friday morning at the Spanish Grand Prix during its first European race in its inaugural season. Christian will also provide car development support back to the team, assisting drivers Karun Chandhok and Bruno Senna.

Beside his F1 obligations Christian will continue to drive in the sports car program in order to gain as much racing mileage as possible.

Christian Klien commented: “I am thrilled to be joining HRT F1 Team. This role offers me the opportunity to rejoin the Formula One environment and drive again, which is naturally where my longer-term ambitions lie. I was in Bahrain and China and had a close look at the car already. I have also met the team members and I know quite a number of them from my previous race seasons. I would like to thank Dr. Colin Kolles for the interest he has shown in me at this stage. It is exciting and very motivating to be part of a new team structure in such a challenging sport. At only 27 years with six seasons of F1 under my belt I am sure I can bring a lot of experience and enthusiasm into HRT F1 Team."