> Klien confident F1 future still bright

Christian Klien is adamant that he has made the right move in becoming Honda’s test driver for 2007 and is confident he still has a bright future in Formula 1.

The 23-year-old was confirmed as the Brackley-based squad’s test and reserve driver for next season earlier this week, following three years as a race driver in the sport for Jaguar and Red Bull.

However the Austrian does not believe his new role signifies a step backwards for him, instead insisting that joining a manufacturer team will bolster his career prospects and give him the best chance of returning to a race seat.

“For some time it has been my goal to work with a manufacturer team and Honda has an incredible history of achievement in Formula 1 as well as being a team capable of winning the world championship,” he said in an interview with Formula 1’s official website.

“I had already decided that, whether racing or testing, the right thing was to move up the field and into a winning team.

“If I do my job, the future for me racing in Formula 1 remains bright and I am committed to giving Honda my full support on a long-term basis.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me.”

Klien parted company with RBR three races before the end of his contract in September, after he decided to turn down its offer of racing for its Champ Car outfit in America following the news that he was to be replaced by Mark Webber at the Milton-Keynes squad for 2007.

However despite the sudden split with the company that supported his rise through the motorsport ranks, the young Austrian does not hold any grudges.

“My departure from Red Bull Racing was only surprising to outsiders,” he said.

“I was not released, I simply decided not to take their offer to race in America because I wanted to stay in Formula 1, and so we agreed to part company.

“Mr Mateschitz and Red Bull have given me fantastic support over many years, but once it became clear that my only option to remain in Formula 1 was to move to another team it was not a difficult decision to make.

“I have a good relationship with a great many friends inside Red Bull, but now my allegiance is to Honda and to making their goal of winning the world championship a reality.”