Klien still hopeful of 2010 race seat
Christian Klien missed out on the second seat at Sauber's team but remains upbeat about his chances of racing in F1 in 2010
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Wednesday, 20, Jan 2010 02:01
By Adam Leveridge
Christian Klien remains hopeful of a full-time drive in 2010, despite losing the second Sauber seat to Pedro de la Rosa.
The Austrian was tipped as one of the front runners for the second drive at Peter Sauber's team alongside Japanese rookie Kamui Koabayashi. However, on Tuesday the outfit confirmed Spaniard De la Rosa had earned the spot.
Klien, 29, has been working with the Hinwii-based squad in a reserve and test driver capacity since 2007, after competing with Jaguar Racing for a single season and Red Bull Racing for two years.
Klien said he has made regular trips to Hinwii over the winter period in an attempt to stay abreast of the progress being made by the Sauber engineers, despite knowing De la Rosa was also in the running for the final race seat.
"I was well aware that my main rival for the seat was De la Rosa," said Klien.
"In my view, the fact that the decision was taken so late shows that it was not an easy one for Sauber."
Despite the disappointment of missing out, the Austrian remains hopeful of a full-time race seat with another team in 2010.
"There are still a few seats up for grabs," said Klien.
"I have been approached by several teams throughout the 2009 season. With two of those teams I am currently in serious negotiations.
"As always you don't count your chickens before they are hatched in F1. This is mainly in the interest of the teams and their partners.
"My goal is to be racing in F1 this season and I still have every chance to achieve that."
Klien noted that teams could decide on their driver line-ups just days before the season commences in Bahrain in March. However, the Austrian feels the best practice would be to establish both drivers before pre-season testing begins.
But he does acknowledge that the new entries to the F1 grid and changes to the management structure at some of the more established outfits will inevitably have an impact on the time it takes to make decisions.
"F1 currently undergoes a process of massive restructuring," said Klien.
"Works teams have left, new teams were founded.
"A few teams are under new ownership, which results in new management and new strategic emphasis here and there. In those teams decisions will take a little longer with new people in place and a whole new framework.
"Also for the first time in decades there is no testing over the winter. Therefore the teams are not in a hurry to complete their driver line-up."
But the testing restrictions that are currently in force in F1 have made the reserve and test driver roles within teams far less attractive to Klien.
"The clear goal is to race, but you have to weigh this option carefully," said Klien.
"Last season, no fewer than five reserve drivers were called upon in ten teams to replace a racing driver.
"Statistically the job makes sense. Still my plan is to go racing and I still see a fair chance to be on the grid in 2010."