By Ian Lockwood
April 13 2005

Christian Klien has spoken out about the disapointment he is feeling with the decision by Red Bull Racing to replace him with F1 Rookie 'Tonio Liuzzi for Imola, Barcelona, and Monaco.

"On Tuesday after the race weekend of Bahrain I was informed by RBR sports director, Christian Horner that the change of cockpit, which had been agreed on before the start of the season, will take place as of Imola....To be honest I was totally disappointed when I heard the news. I had totally wanted to continue to prove my good condition and top form this season. I wanted to make more points for the team. My performance over the first three race weekends had shown that I am in the middle of a very positive and sucessful development, despite being only in my second year in F1."

"It is true that the 'cockpit sharing' with Liuzi had been previewed since the start of the season. Since starting the tests I had always been better in comparison to Liuzzi"

Christian continued to say that although he is naturally disappointed, he does accept the teams decision and whilst he will find it very hard to watch the next three races as a spectator, he will continue do do what he can to help the team from the pits, in the test sessions scheduled in between Imola & Monaco, and at the RBR factory in Milton Keynes.

What is less clear at the moment is what happens after Monaco. Christian says he "assumes" he will be back in the cockpit at the European GP at the Nurburgring. RBR management though have yet to make any commitment to either driver, saying only that performances will be evaluated and a decision will be taken after Monaco. Whether this will be a decision to continue with the driver swap programme or give one driver the stability and confidence that would come from a promise of the race seat for the remainder of ther year remains to be seen.

Ian Lockwood