Doornbos to replace Klien for final three races.
Red Bull Racing has announced that the team's third/test driver, Robert Doornbos will replace Christian Klien for the final three races of the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship.
Klien lost his seat alongside David Coulthard, when it was announced last month that Mark Webber would partner the Scot at the Milton-Keynes based outfit in 2007. Although attempts were made to keep Klien in the Red Bull 'family', providing he moved to the DTM or Champ Cars, the Austrian wants to remain in F1, and this has resulted in him cutting his ties with Dietrich Mateschitz.
Red Bull Racing has announced that the team's third/test driver, Robert Doornbos will replace Christian Klien for the final three races of the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship.
Klien lost his seat alongside David Coulthard, when it was announced last month that Mark Webber would partner the Scot at the Milton-Keynes based outfit in 2007. Although attempts were made to keep Klien in the Red Bull 'family', providing he moved to the DTM or Champ Cars, the Austrian wants to remain in F1, and this has resulted in him cutting his ties with Dietrich Mateschitz.
"Following Christian Klien's decision to pursue other options within Formula One, Red Bull Racing has agreed to release him from his contract with immediate effect," confirmed a statement from RBR. "The team's test and reserve driver Robert Doornbos will contest the last three races of the season for the team, alongside David Coulthard."
Doornbos meanwhile, who made his debut in F1 at the end of last year, when he was drafted in by Minardi for the final eight races of the season replacing Patrick Friesacher, is delighted to get the chance to race again at the pinnacle of the sport in China, Japan and Brazil.
"It's fantastic to know that I'm going to be racing again, I'm really looking forward to it," said the Dutchman. "Friday testing and helping the team this year has been great experience, but to get back out on to the race track on Sunday is what it's all about. I've got to know the guys at Red Bull Racing really well this season, so I'll be working with them all closely to do the best job I can for the team and myself."
Red Bull Racing team boss, Christian Horner believes that Doornbos is the logical replacement: "Further to Christian's recent decision, we have released him to focus on the next stage of his career. Having done a solid job for us in the third car this season and having previously competed in eight grand's prix, Robert is the logical replacement. He will start preparing for his Red Bull Racing debut at the team's test in Jerez this week," concluded Horner.
