Christian Klien facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Christian Klien
Klien in 2014
Born	(1983-02-07) 7 February 1983 (age 42) Hohenems, Austria
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality	Austrian
Active years	2004–2006, 2010
Teams	Jaguar, Red Bull, HRT
Entries	51 (49 starts)
Championships	0
Wins	0
Podiums	0
Career points	14
Pole positions	0
Fastest laps	0
First entry	2004 Australian Grand Prix
Last entry	2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
24 Hours of Le Mans career
Years	2008–2009, 2011, 2014
Teams	Peugeot, Aston Martin, Morand
Best finish	3rd (2008)
Class wins	0
Previous series
2016–2023 2021 2015 2013–2014 2013 2012 2003 2002 2002 2000–2001 1999	GTWC Europe DTM FIA WEC ELMS Auto GP V8 Supercars F3 Euro Series German Formula Renault Formula Renault Eurocup Formula BMW ADAC Formula BMW Junior
Championship titles
2003 2002	Masters of Formula 3 German Formula Renault

Christian Klien (born 7 February 1983) is an Austrian racing driver. He competed in Formula One from 2004 to 2006, and again in 2010. He raced for teams like Jaguar, Red Bull, and HRT. Over 51 races, he earned 14 championship points.

Christian Klien's Racing Journey

Christian Klien started his racing journey when he was a teenager. He raced in karting events in Austria and Switzerland. After that, he moved on to Formula BMW, a type of racing for young drivers. He won several championships in these smaller racing series.

Starting in Formula One

Klien then joined Formula One, the highest level of racing. He first drove for the Jaguar Racing team. His teammate was Mark Webber. At the end of 2004, the Jaguar team was bought by Red Bull. It was then renamed Red Bull Racing.

In 2005, Christian Klien shared his race seat with another driver, Vitantonio Liuzzi. This was a bit unusual for Formula One. Klien stayed with Red Bull for the 2006 season. Liuzzi moved to Red Bull's junior team, Scuderia Toro Rosso.

After 2006, Klien's old teammate Mark Webber took his place for the 2007 season. Klien was offered other racing opportunities, but he wanted to stay in Formula One. He became a test driver for the Honda team.

In 2008, Klien became a reserve and test driver for BMW Sauber. He also started racing in endurance events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He finished third overall in the 2008 Le Mans race. He continued as a test driver for BMW Sauber in 2009.

Klien driving for Jaguar at the 2004 Belgian Grand Prix. He scored his first Formula One points here.

Racing for Jaguar (2004)

In December 2003, Klien joined the Jaguar Racing Formula One team. He was the second driver to his more experienced teammate, Mark Webber. Klien was known for being reliable. He only had to stop racing early in four out of 18 races.

His best result in his first season was in Belgium. He finished sixth, earning three championship points. He ended the season tied for 16th place in the Drivers' Championship.

Klien during practice at the 2005 United States Grand Prix.

Driving for Red Bull (2005–2006)

In November 2004, the Jaguar team became Red Bull Racing. Christian Klien became the second race driver for Red Bull, alongside David Coulthard. Klien started 2005 well, scoring points in the first two races.

Red Bull decided that Vitantonio Liuzzi would race in four events instead of Klien. But Klien returned to racing for the Canadian Grand Prix. He kept his spot because he performed well. He finished his second year with more points in Turkey and China. In December 2005, it was confirmed that Klien would race for Red Bull again in 2006.

Klien driving for Red Bull Racing at the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix.

In 2006, Klien started strong, but his teammate David Coulthard was more consistent. In August 2006, Red Bull announced that Klien would not be a race driver for them in 2007. This was because they signed Mark Webber. Klien was offered a spot in another racing series, but he wanted to stay in Formula One. Because of this, Red Bull replaced him for the last three races of the season with test driver Robert Doornbos.

Test Driver Roles (2007–2009)

Klien driving a Honda car at the 2007 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

On November 15, 2006, Honda Racing announced that Klien would be their test and reserve driver for 2007. He helped test their new cars. In 2008, Klien became a test and reserve driver for BMW Sauber. He also raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Peugeot. He finished third overall in that race.

Klien testing for BMW Sauber in Bahrain before the 2009 season.

Klien continued as a test driver for BMW Sauber in 2009. He also raced at Le Mans again with Peugeot, finishing sixth.

Return to Formula One (2010)

In 2010, Klien joined Hispania Racing as a reserve driver. He took part in practice sessions for the 2010 Spanish Grand Prix and 2010 European Grand Prix. He then got to race in the 2010 Singapore Grand Prix when another driver was ill. He also raced in the final two races of the season in Brazil and Abu Dhabi. However, the team did not keep him for the 2011 season.

Life After Formula One

Klien in the pits at Circuit Zolder, during a Blancpain GT Series race.

After his time in Formula One, Christian Klien started racing in other types of motorsport. These included endurance racing and sports car races. He also competed in V8 Supercars in Australia.

Since late 2012, Klien has written a monthly column for a racing website called Pitpass.com. In 2014, he signed a deal to race in the European Le Mans Series.

In 2017, Klien joined the Austrian Armed Forces while still continuing his racing career. Since 2021, he has also worked as an expert for ServusTV's Formula One coverage. In 2021 and 2022, Klien raced in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) and GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup.

Racing Achievements

Christian Klien has had a successful career in various racing series. Here is a summary of his main achievements:

Career summary

^† As Klien was a guest driver, he was ineligible to score points.
^* Season still in progress.

See also

In Spanish: Christian Klien para niños

• List of Austrians in sports
• Famous Austrians