RBR lobbys for Klien as third driver

By John Sharpe
April 12 2005

This is exactly why I love Formula One. Just when you think that you have figured out all the possibilities regarding Red Bull Racing’s third driver situation, they go ahead and throw that proverbial monkey wrench in to the mix just for laughs

According to our well-informed friends at Autosport-Atlas, Christian Klien has now been tipped to take on the Friday testing role vacated by Vitantonio Liuzzi.

There was never any real secret that Klien would be giving up his seat to allow the colorful Italian Liuzzi a shot behind the race wheel. The only question came in the form of – who would be the team’s third driver on Fridays during grand prix weekends.

For weeks, speculation as to who would take on the testing role for RBR surrounded on two of their young and talented junior drivers, Neel Jani from Switzerland and American Scott Speed.
After a brilliant debut in his first ever Formula One test, Speed’s pace shouted out loudly to the masses that he is one to be taken very seriously. It seems many of us were listening.

Finally, an American worthy of the challenge of becoming his countries first true grand prix driver in decades was soon on the fast track leading straight into F1.
The spin doctors at Red Bull where already smacking themselves on the rear as they soon began to realize just what sort of marketing coup was staring them right in the face.
Scott Speed was about to inject the United States of America with a much needed Red Bull sales boost – as well as piquing American interest once again in the sport of Formula One – a Red Bull – F1 cocktail if you will!

Now it seems it was all just a tease rather. Even though CK has already completed more than six races in the past two years, Red Bull Racing owner Dietrich Mateschitz will now have to try to convince the FIA to modify their current third driver regulations to allow CK to drive on Fridays.
Let us all pray.

With Nick Fry from BAR and Flavio Briatore of Renault already in his corner, DM is pitching a solution to his current dilemma to the other F1 teams - who in turn would have to vote unanimously in his favor in order to affect any real change to the rule.

"We are optimistic that we can reach an agreement among the teams to change the rules concerning third drivers, because the current status was intended against older drivers to fill spots for young ones. In our case, with Christian [Klien, who is 22 years old] not eligible for Friday testing, the rule contravenes its spirit,” Mateschitz was quoted as saying.

It seems a bit odd that RBR would be going in this direction. Perhaps they do not want to give CK the impression that he is lacking in true value to the team. After all, Liuzzi was the third driver and now gets to sit in the RB1 driving on Sundays. This could be a way of keeping the scales balanced.
Personally, I think the rule is ridiculous. What great advantage is one team getting by replacing tester for racer? In Red Bull’s case, it is one young driver for another young driver as DM has explained.

So, what would I like to see? Well after successfully lobbying for a third driver rule change, I would like DM to next concentrate on bringing back slicks – with the “fat” rear tires again.
In addition, twelve lap qualifying with all the cars on track doing out laps, flying laps and cool downs like before would be nice as well Mr. Mateschitz.

Let us pray…

John.sharpe@racingbulls.co.uk