Klien eyes race seat with BMW team
BMW Sauber test driver Christian Klien has said he would like nothing more than to secure a race seat with his current team next year, as it bids to find a buyer to keep it in the sport
With majority shareholders BMW having announced that it is quitting F1 at the end of this season, efforts have been made over the past few weeks to put a package together than will keep the Hinwil-based operation on the grid in 2010.
Although that uncertainty means the team's current drivers have no guarantee about their own futures, Klien says he hopes he can make an F1 return with his current employers - after confirming other teams have approached him.
"There have been requests throughout the season," Klien told his official website. "In F1 everything is always on the move. The new teams are very interested in drivers with experience but a certain long term perspective.
"At only 26 and with my sixth F1 season now I think I can offer both. But also the established teams are looking around for new drivers at the moment. A few drivers are on the way out or changing teams.
"Despite those requests that I have received, the team from Hinwil would be my first choice. The technical resources are great and the passion for racing fits very well with my idea of an F1 team."
Klien admits that he was as shocked as the rest of the staff by the BMW news, but hopes that the team can pull off something similar to Brawn GP, which was rescued after Honda withdrew from the sport.
"By February nobody knew if they [Brawn GP] would make it at all," he said. "And then they started by driving circles around everyone else. As for me personally: like most drivers I am in a waiting position now.
"As soon as the first pieces of the puzzles fall into the right places, thing may happen quickly. But in 2010 there will be more jobs for F1 drivers than previously, but not any more drivers with grand prix experience on the market. I feel I am in quite a good position."
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