Klien to race for Jaguar in 2004
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Klien will continue testing for Jaguar in Spain this week.
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LONDON, England -- Austrian Christian Klien has been signed to race for Jaguar next season, less than a week after his first experience of driving an F1 car.
The 20-year-old, who was invited to test for the Ford-owned team at Valencia in Spain last week, will partner Australian Mark Webber, replacing Briton Justin Wilson.
"Our decision to employ him as a race driver was based on merit, potential and speed," said Jaguar managing director David Pitchforth.
Jaguar said Klien would begin work immediately, joining Webber for a three-day test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.
"Christian was in as much control of himself as he was the car," Pitchforth was quoted as saying on Jaguar's official Web site.
"He was extremely calm, composed and didn't seem remotely fazed by his first ever experience with a Formula One car. His technical feedback was excellent and there is no doubt in our minds about the potential of this exciting new young talent."
Klien, runner-up in last season's German Formula Three championship, said that becoming a Jaguar F1 driver had made him "the happiest man on earth."
"I have worked tirelessly over the years to get to this point but I appreciate also that the real hard work for me starts now," Klien told Jaguar's Web site.
"I am indebted to Jaguar Racing for giving me an opportunity to prove my worth and I intend repaying Jaguar through hard work, commitment and ultimately, results on the race track."
Disappointing
Wilson, who competed in the last grands prix of the year for the team, faces an uncertain future, although Jaguar said they were still in discussions with the 25-year-old.
One option could be a testing role with the team, while Jordan and Minardi are still to confirm their racing lineups for 2004.
"It's disappointing," Wilson told the Daily Mirror newspaper.
"I have known this was on the cards for a while. I know why they have made the decision they have and there is little I can do about it.
"I'm still waiting to see what happens about the rule governing test driving. I would like to remain with the team in a test driving role. Minardi is also a possibility."
Under new testing rules for 2004, the six lowest-ranked teams will be allowed to run a third car during Friday's practice sessions at races.
But the driver must have competed in less than six grand prixs over the past two seasons -- which would disqualify Wilson.
