F1: Jaguar confirms Klien for 2004

By Nikki Reynolds, F1 Editor - Motorsport.com

As expected, Jaguar Racing has confirmed Christian Klien as race driver for
2004 after the 20 year-old Austrian tested for the team last week. Austrian
Klien, who was runner up in German F3 in 2003, impressed Jaguar with his
performance at the test, not to mention his considerable financial backing
from Red Bull. Klien replaces Justin Wilson as teammate to Mark Webber.

"Knowing that I am a Jaguar F1 driver
has made me the happiest man on earth!" said Klien in a statement released
on December 2nd.  "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. 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." 

"Before that, however, I have a responsibility alongside Mark Webber to
support
the development of the 2004 challenger and that means countless hours
of testing over the winter period. This will also be a very valuable
familiarisation exercise for me too as I get to know the car, the team
and it's associated partners."

David Pitchforth, Managing Director of Jaguar Racing said of the Valencia
test: "Christian was in as much control of himself as he was the car. 
"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." 

"He worked very well with the race engineers
and demonstrated increasing speed as he became familiar with the car.
Christian's professionalism and brain bandwidth are also very impressive
and combined with his application, our decision to employ him as a race
driver was based on merit, potential and speed."

Klien's position in the team is effective immediately and he will start
testing at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain today, along with Webber.


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