Horner hints at Klien axe
Posted by LS.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner has revealed that the team is only likely to retain one of its current drivers for 2007 and has dropped a large hint that Christian Klien will be the man to make way.
Both the Austrian and stable-mate David Coulthard’s deals with the team expire at the end of the season, but the Scot has been tipped to extend his two-year stay with the Ferrari-powered squad for some time, particularly since scoring RBR's first podium in Monaco last month.
Horner’s latest comments will intensify the speculation about who is likely to take the second seat at Red Bull next year, with both Renault test driver Heikki Kovalainen and Toro Rosso racer Vitantonio Liuzzi said to be in the frame.
“It is probable that we will only continue with one of our current drivers,” Horner was quoted as saying in Motorsport News.
“The driver market is pretty fluid this year.”
Although Horner didn’t directly mention replacing Klien, he hinted that the 23-year-old’s inconsistent form in 2006 has been a deciding factor.
Last weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix was a case in point.
The Austrian comfortably outqualified Coulthard, but it was the Scot who, after starting from the back of the grid, stormed through the field to claim a point, while Klien trailed home in 11th.
Horner says that a driver with 40 F1 races under his belt cannot get away with such hit-and-miss form.
“Christian is in his third year of F1 and he is not a rookie any more.
“He has got an experienced team-mate in David and he needs to tidy up elements of performance such as his inconsistency.”
Horner recently indicated that he plans to renew Coulthard’s contract for 2007.
“We won’t be making any decisions about drivers until later in the summer but I am very happy with the job he is doing,” Horner told the Press Association last month.
“He and I get along very well and if the relationship is working and it’s right why stop it?
“He is tremendously fit and let's not forget Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill were older than he was when they won their world championships.
“He still has a lot to offer and whilst he is still motivated and performing why should he stop?
“David’s quality within the team is recognised. Does this result [Coulthard’s Monaco podium] change our opinion of him? No, because we knew what we had before we came here.
“We are not going to make any decisions about drivers until the summer but as I say, if it’s not broken do not fix it.”
Hmm not sure about the comparisons between Hill and Mansell being World champions, but it could leave a vacancy at Redbull or STR for Montoya
LS's Tip of the week
ESSENTIAL OILS aren't essential unless you're an engine, a gearbox or a twat
Both the Austrian and stable-mate David Coulthard’s deals with the team expire at the end of the season, but the Scot has been tipped to extend his two-year stay with the Ferrari-powered squad for some time, particularly since scoring RBR's first podium in Monaco last month.
Horner’s latest comments will intensify the speculation about who is likely to take the second seat at Red Bull next year, with both Renault test driver Heikki Kovalainen and Toro Rosso racer Vitantonio Liuzzi said to be in the frame.
“It is probable that we will only continue with one of our current drivers,” Horner was quoted as saying in Motorsport News.
“The driver market is pretty fluid this year.”
Although Horner didn’t directly mention replacing Klien, he hinted that the 23-year-old’s inconsistent form in 2006 has been a deciding factor.
Last weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix was a case in point.
The Austrian comfortably outqualified Coulthard, but it was the Scot who, after starting from the back of the grid, stormed through the field to claim a point, while Klien trailed home in 11th.
Horner says that a driver with 40 F1 races under his belt cannot get away with such hit-and-miss form.
“Christian is in his third year of F1 and he is not a rookie any more.
“He has got an experienced team-mate in David and he needs to tidy up elements of performance such as his inconsistency.”
Horner recently indicated that he plans to renew Coulthard’s contract for 2007.
“We won’t be making any decisions about drivers until later in the summer but I am very happy with the job he is doing,” Horner told the Press Association last month.
“He and I get along very well and if the relationship is working and it’s right why stop it?
“He is tremendously fit and let's not forget Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill were older than he was when they won their world championships.
“He still has a lot to offer and whilst he is still motivated and performing why should he stop?
“David’s quality within the team is recognised. Does this result [Coulthard’s Monaco podium] change our opinion of him? No, because we knew what we had before we came here.
“We are not going to make any decisions about drivers until the summer but as I say, if it’s not broken do not fix it.”
Hmm not sure about the comparisons between Hill and Mansell being World champions, but it could leave a vacancy at Redbull or STR for Montoya
LS's Tip of the week
ESSENTIAL OILS aren't essential unless you're an engine, a gearbox or a twat
IF you want inconsistency then pick up JPM. Things will be worse then than they are now with Klien...
"There are some pikeys there at Turn 10 putting tarmac down - what do you think of that?" - Martin Brundle
"There are some pikeys there at Turn 10 putting tarmac down - what do you think of that?" - Martin Brundle
Can everyone stop with the bigging up Wurz? 
He's had his chance, he failed.
Now;
I'd put my money on Liuzzi to get that second seat. The Torro Rosso personnel have been raving about him all year, despite his race form suggesting otherwise, and you have to admit Klien's been pretty missable this season. It's not like Red Bull to bring in someone from outside when they can promote their own minions, and of the two current Torro Rosso drivers, Liuzzi's definitely the more talented.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Klien pop up as a third driver for Renault or someone. He's got a slim chance of a race seat at BMW Sauber or Midland, but I doubt he'd take the latter. Similarly, I can't see Montoya in at Torro Rosso no matter how much I contort reality in my mind.
With Red Bull following "company lines" it's likely that Speed will keep his seat for another season, with another Red Bull protege such as Doornbos or Jani getting the nod.
The other alternative is that Renault or McLaren pay to have their driver (Kovaleinen or Hamilton) in the second seat.
K*bots UK, specialist providers of 'fun science' Curriculum Enhancement days for Primary and Secondary schools in Britain.
Please find us on [en.wikipedia.org] for more information.
He's had his chance, he failed.Now;
I'd put my money on Liuzzi to get that second seat. The Torro Rosso personnel have been raving about him all year, despite his race form suggesting otherwise, and you have to admit Klien's been pretty missable this season. It's not like Red Bull to bring in someone from outside when they can promote their own minions, and of the two current Torro Rosso drivers, Liuzzi's definitely the more talented.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Klien pop up as a third driver for Renault or someone. He's got a slim chance of a race seat at BMW Sauber or Midland, but I doubt he'd take the latter. Similarly, I can't see Montoya in at Torro Rosso no matter how much I contort reality in my mind.
With Red Bull following "company lines" it's likely that Speed will keep his seat for another season, with another Red Bull protege such as Doornbos or Jani getting the nod.The other alternative is that Renault or McLaren pay to have their driver (Kovaleinen or Hamilton) in the second seat.
If Kovaleinen brings the engines with him he will get a seat at either RBR or STR. Still Luizzi will be in the mix somewhere, whether he moves into RBR or stays where he is....
"There are some pikeys there at Turn 10 putting tarmac down - what do you think of that?" - Martin Brundle
"There are some pikeys there at Turn 10 putting tarmac down - what do you think of that?" - Martin Brundle
i hope liuzzi doesn't get the seat, i want to punch my tv every time i see him, trying to look all cool but he just looks and acts like an idiot.
Looks like Berger is happy with Speed and Liuzzi
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I would like to stay with the drivers we have. Fact is that the driver carousel affects the top teams more, as everything revolves around the question what Michael (Schumacher) will do. It does not affect us. But what will really happen, the next weeks will show. I am against all those saying that Formula One needs more American, Russian or Chinese drivers. I simply want the best, no matter if they are white, black or yellow."
-----------------------------------------------------------
Here's a link to the full interview
[www.formula1.com]
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I would like to stay with the drivers we have. Fact is that the driver carousel affects the top teams more, as everything revolves around the question what Michael (Schumacher) will do. It does not affect us. But what will really happen, the next weeks will show. I am against all those saying that Formula One needs more American, Russian or Chinese drivers. I simply want the best, no matter if they are white, black or yellow."
-----------------------------------------------------------
Here's a link to the full interview
[www.formula1.com]
It's expected that RBR will run Coulthard and Liuzzi with Cosworths, and STR will run Speed and probably Klien with Ferrari-engined RB2s.
But who will drive the Red Bull Racing NASCARs! That's what I want to know!
But who will drive the Red Bull Racing NASCARs! That's what I want to know!
Can everyone stop with the bigging up Wurz? He's had his chance, he failed.
To be fair to Wurz, he had his chance and was great from the start - then he fell out with Flavio, and raced in 2000 with his teammate being given a qualifying car each weekend - only in the final race of the year did Wurz get to use the qualifying car, and promptly blew his teammate away....
He is better than half the grid right now and deserves a chance with a top team.
RedSam
Winner: Not the Nickv Comment of the Year 2009
Due to the voting system in Germany, Governments are always made up of coalitions of different parties. At the last election, an almost unprecidented result saw the CDU/CSU (rough equivilant of the Conservatives) go into Government with the SPD (rough equivilant of Labour)
To be fair to Wurz, he had his chance and was great from the start - then he fell out with Flavio, and raced in 2000 with his teammate being given a qualifying car each weekend - only in the final race of the year did Wurz get to use the qualifying car, and promptly blew his teammate away....
He is better than half the grid right now and deserves a chance with a top team.
Winner: Not the Nickv Comment of the Year 2009
Due to the voting system in Germany, Governments are always made up of coalitions of different parties. At the last election, an almost unprecidented result saw the CDU/CSU (rough equivilant of the Conservatives) go into Government with the SPD (rough equivilant of Labour)
totally agree with that wurz was/is a top driver but hekki i think is the best bet dc's a good solid points scorer hekki would be young alonso type hotshot sounds like a good team with a newey car aswell
where does doornbos fits in all this?
I'm not surprised if he gets a seat @ redbull or torro rosso
Not only because i'm a fan of doornbos but I would like 2 know what the non dutchies think about him
I'm not surprised if he gets a seat @ redbull or torro rosso
Not only because i'm a fan of doornbos but I would like 2 know what the non dutchies think about him
I like Doornbos alot, but I bet if Midland gets bought by a Dutch group he will wind up in a car there along with Albers....
"There are some pikeys there at Turn 10 putting tarmac down - what do you think of that?" - Martin Brundle
"There are some pikeys there at Turn 10 putting tarmac down - what do you think of that?" - Martin Brundle
The return of Jos Verstappen, perhaps?
RedSam
Winner: Not the Nickv Comment of the Year 2009
Due to the voting system in Germany, Governments are always made up of coalitions of different parties. At the last election, an almost unprecidented result saw the CDU/CSU (rough equivilant of the Conservatives) go into Government with the SPD (rough equivilant of Labour)
Winner: Not the Nickv Comment of the Year 2009
Due to the voting system in Germany, Governments are always made up of coalitions of different parties. At the last election, an almost unprecidented result saw the CDU/CSU (rough equivilant of the Conservatives) go into Government with the SPD (rough equivilant of Labour)
Whats wrong with Americans?
He goes out for practise....
*pit radio* Hey guys the wheel, its not turning right, whats up?
*Pit Wall* Right turn? :S
Lol jk :P
"Trulli was slowing down like he wanted to have a picnic" LOL
He goes out for practise....
*pit radio* Hey guys the wheel, its not turning right, whats up?
*Pit Wall* Right turn? :S
Lol jk :P
"Trulli was slowing down like he wanted to have a picnic" LOL
I would have gathered.. :P
It was just a @#$%& joke :P
"Trulli was slowing down like he wanted to have a picnic" LOL
It was just a @#$%& joke :P
"Trulli was slowing down like he wanted to have a picnic" LOL
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.