DC to stay, Klien to go – Mateschitz
08/06/06 (GMM) David Coulthard will have his contract extended, but the future of Red Bull teammate Christian Klien is far from secure.
That was the message delivered to the press in Hungary as the energy drink-owned team's boss, Dietrich Mateschitz, made a rare appearance in the pit lane.
''David Coulthard will be there (in 2007),'' the Austrian billionaire claimed. ''The contract is only a formality.''
The fate of Mateschitz's 23-year-old countryman Klien, however, appears far less rosy.
The 'almost independent' paddock magazine Red Bulletin last weekend predicted a move to an American series at the end of the year, and Mateschitz suggested that Klien has 'stopped making progress' after three years on the grid.
Mark Webber is likely to replace him for 2007, paddock speculation suggests.
Asked if Klien's heritage might save him, Mateschitz said: ''We cannot make decisions on the basis of nationality. We have to have the best people we can get.''
08/03/06 (GMM) Christian Klien says he is hopeful of remaining at the Red Bull team next year.
After a long wait and a lot of bad luck, the 23-year-old Austrian scored his second point of the season at Hockenheim and, in the Budapest paddock on Thursday, sounded bullish about the future when speaking to reporters.
''It is looking quite good and now there are a lot of discussions about next year,'' he said.
''Now we try to do the same in Hungary and in Turkey and I think it is looking quite good that I continue next year.''
07/29/06 (GMM) Boss Christian Horner and the Red Bull squad have played down a self-made rumor that Christian Klien will be shipped off to an American series at the end of the year.
The 'almost independent' paddock newspaper Red Bulletin gave 23-year-old Klien a shock on Friday morning when he read the story, and vowed to ask Horner for his reaction.
So, too, did reporters at Hockenheim.
''Our situation as regards drivers is that, and with Christian in particular, no decision has been made yet,'' Horner insisted, ''and once it is, it will be announced through the team and not via the Red Bulletin.''
He added that Red Bull is 'not short of choice' to complete next year's team lineup.
Red Bull's PR department, meanwhile, towed a similar line but called the Red Bulletin team 'naughty children'.
07/28/06 (GMM) Christian Klien's exit at the end of the year from Red Bull's lineup and also formula one now appears certain.
The team's 'almost independent' paddock newspaper, 'Red Bulletin', is reporting that the 23-year-old from Austria is set to leave the pinnacle of motor sport to race in an American series in 2007.
''I was a little surprised when I read that this morning,'' he was quoted as saying by 'Premiere' at Hockenheim.
''I will ask (team boss) Christian Horner what he knows about it.''
Klien insists that he does not yet know whether he will still be a Red Bull driver beyond the end of this season.
He said: ''It is my goal to sit in the car next year and I can only achieve that with good results.''
Asked if – Juan Pablo Montoya-style – he was interested in switching to NASCAR, in which Red Bull is also involved, Christian replied: ''No, not really.
''I am 100 per cent focused on formula one.''
[Editor's Note: We would not be at all surprised to see Red Bull place Klien in Champ Car, as previously rumored on these pages.]