Red Bull hope for third driver rule change

Red Bull Racing is hoping that the other teams will agree to a rule change that will let Christian Klien take the third driver role in Friday practice sessions of race weekends. Klien is out of the race seat while Vitantionio Liuzzi gets his chance in competition but the current rule prevents Klien driving on Fridays, which has been Liuzzi's role until now.

Christian Klien.

Photo by xpb.cc.

The third driver must not have driven in more than six Grands Prix in the last two seasons but Klien, who raced for Jaguar in 2004, has competed in 21 races since his F1 debut last year. The rule was aimed at preventing too many experienced drivers taking test roles, which would make it difficult for younger drivers to break into F1.

Some other teams are using older and well experienced third drivers and Red Bull is hoping that as Klien is only 22, his youth will help change the rule. Team owner Dietrich Mateschitz told Autosport: "In our case, with Christian not eligible for Friday testing, the rule contravenes its spirit."

BAR and Renault have reportedly already agreed to Red Bull's request but it will need the consent of all the teams. If Klien remains unable to drive on Fridays, it's speculated that either Neel Jani or Scot Speed, who both recently tested for Red Bull, could be in line for the role.