Klien set to cut Red Bull ties to stay in F1.

Christian Klien has apparently turned down Red Bull's offer to continue backing him in order to remain in Formula One, despite not having a seat lined up for 2007.

The Austrian has been dropped from the drinks brand's F1 line-up in favour of new Red Bull Racing signing Mark Webber, but was offered a chance to remain on its roster by switching to either Champ Cars or the DTM. Determined to remain in Formula One, however, Klien appears set to cut his ties with Dietrich Mateschitz.

While Klien sets about trying to convince either Super Aguri or Midland MF1 - or which ever group takes the Silverstone-based team over next season - that he is worthy of a seat in the top flight, the chance to race Champ Cars with one of motorsport's more prolific backers looks set to go to Neel Jani, currently reserve driver with Red Bull's second string Scuderia Toro Rosso outfit.

"My priority still lies with Formula One," Klien told Austrian television station ORF during the Italian Grand Prix weekend, "I respect the offer to do Champ Cars, but the option on that offer ends tomorrow and I could not sign a contract at this stage of the season. I have other options and other teams in F1 are interested, but I need more time to have further talks with them.

"I have had concrete talks about possible roles as either a test or race driver in F1 and want to concentrate fully on that. There are four races left, and I have a good feeling that something will come my way."

Asked why he gave his decision to Mateschitz ahead of the deadline, Klien explained that he wanted to be able to concentrate on qualifying for the Monza round of the world championship

"Making the call to Mr Mateschitz relieves some of the pressure," he confirmed, "It was a normal conversation, and I explained why I could not sign a Champ Car deal at this time. It is a great race series but, once you are over there, you are over there. The jump back to Formula One is not an easy one to make."

Red Bull's motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, admitted that he was taken aback by Klien's decision, especially given the calibre of the teams still holding vacancies on next year's F1 grid.

"There are hundreds of drivers that would have jumped at the offer we made to him," he said, "I am sure that Neel Jani will be happy to take his place [in Champ Cars]."

There has been no official Red Bull confirmation of either Klien's decision or Jani accession to the Champ Car ride, but further details are expected during the Monza weekend.