Klien secures Honda test role

Christian Klien will continue in F1 next year as he secured the official reserve and test driver role with Honda, the team announced on November 15th. The former Red Bull pilot will replace Anthony Davidson, who takes up a race seat at Super Aguri. Honda development driver James Rossiter will also step up to an official test role.

Christian Klien.

Photo by Red Bull GmbH und GEPA pictures GmbH.

"I am very proud to be joining the Honda Racing F1 Team," said Klien. "This is a fantastic opportunity for me to work with one of the top manufacturers in Formula One and alongside two of the best race drivers."

"I have three years of F1 experience to contribute and I am looking forward to helping Honda to achieve its ambitions. Equally, I have a great opportunity to progress my own career. I am very much looking forward to driving the car for the first time when winter testing begins."

Klien debuted in F1 with Jaguar in 2004 and then competed with Red Bull for two seasons after the energy drink manufacturer took over. When Mark Webber was announced for next year Red Bull offered Klien the option to move to Champ Car but he turned it down in the hope of finding an F1 seat.

"I would like to welcome Christian to the Honda Racing F1 Team as he takes up his new role as our test and reserve driver," said sporting director Gil de Ferran. "Christian has accumulated a great deal of experience in Formula One over the past three years and this should prove extremely valuable to us given the limitations placed on teams by the new testing regulations."

"We expect Christian to play an important role in the development of the RA107 and we look forward to working very closely with him in the winter, together with James who steps up to be an official test driver for us."