DC: It's F1's loss if Klien doesn't find a drive.

David Coulthard has admitted that Christian Klien may have been too young to compete in Formula One, the Scot speaking as the Austrian struggles to find a drive for 2007 in light of being replaced by Mark Webber at Red Bull Racing.

Klien entered Formula One from the Formula Three Euro Series with Jaguar in 2004, enduring a tough baptism of fire as he found his feet but doing enough to be retained by Red Bull when it bought out the struggling team in 2005.

A stronger season leading to nine points and a best of fifth place in China followed but 2006 has seen Klien overshadowed by Coulthard and when Mark Webber became available from Williams, Red Bull chose to champion experience over youth on this occasion.

Indeed, while Coulthard acknowledges the decision to sign Webber, he admits he does feel sorry for Klien, particularly as his F1 career looks to be over at such a young age, the Scot insisting that he has faced a lot of pressure to perform.

"I think it's great for the team to have two experienced drivers and obviously I feel sorry for Christian because he has been unfortunate this year. I think he has good speed and he's still very young. People have to remember than when you start at 19 or 20 and you're put in that spotlight with that pressure, you are still a young man, probably still living at home with your parents."

Klien was anticipated to continue with Red Bull in some form, be it testing or moving to the sister Scuderia Toro Rosso team, although a move with the drinks company to DTM or Champ Cars is more likely. Nonetheless, Coulthard believes Klien still has a place in Formula One and deserves to be given another chance.

"We all can remember the transition we go through when we start to stand on our own two feet. My opinion is that he's been rushed through too quickly and therefore he hasn't had the chance to show his talent. Therefore his period with Red Bull Racing has come to an end too quickly and that makes it difficult for him to find a drive elsewhere in Formula One and that is Formula One's loss because he drives well and his feedback is good."

Despite Klien's exit, Coulthard is looking forward to welcoming on Williams refugee Webber, particularly as his experience and knowledge is likely, he believes, to benefit the team in the long run.

"Mark, obviously is at a more consistent level of results in Formula One. He's come into it older with a bit more experience under his belt and he's been able to make more use of the opportunities that he's had and our goal will be to achieve the best results we can for the team."