Christian Klien says that he is confident of returning to racing in 2008, and is continuing with discussions regarding opportunities both in Formula One and elsewhere after being passed over by the Force India team.
The 24-year old Austrian was among six drivers being considered by the
Silverstone team to partner Adrian Sutil this season, and impressed the team during his outings in Spain during the last couple of months of last season, producing the fastest time for the team at
Jerez. However, following
Force India's decision to opt for
Giancarlo Fisichella and Tonio Liuzzi to fill its two vacancies, Klien has had to look at other opportunities.
“I would like to thank Force India
F1 for providing me with the testing opportunities in Barcelona and Jerez - it was a very satisfying experience and the team did a really good job," he said magnanimously, "I was happy to be fastest in Jerez and feel I worked very well with the team. My goal after a season as test and reserve driver for the
Honda Racing F1 Team was to partner
Adrian Sutil, but there was intense competition for the remaining race seat.
“Obviously, my first choice [for 2008] remains
Formula One, but it is important to me, however, to keep my race skills fully exercised. Therefore, I have been considering other options. There are good opportunities outside of Formula One that I want to explore and I am very much looking forward to developments in the coming weeks.”
