Calm Klien Ready for the F1 Big Time

Until two weeks ago, Christian Klien had never been outside Europe or more than three hours' flight from his home in a sleepy backwater near the Austrian-Swiss border.

Finland was the furthest he had traveled.

But Jaguar are confident the 20-year-old former sheet metalworker can make an impression on the world stage when he swaps Austria for Australia for his Formula One debut with them in Melbourne on March 7.

"I think he is the real deal," said Australian Mark Webber, who has yet to have a teammate complete a full season alongside him. Last year Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia started just 11 races before being replaced by Briton Justin Wilson.

"He has adapted to the car incredibly quickly," added Webber at the launch of the new R5.

"The initial indications are that he is very, very fast and knows what he wants in the car and has got to grips with it very quickly. I think he'll be very good on race weekends."

Klien has been helped up to Formula One by considerable backing from Austrian energy drink brand Red Bull, a relationship that started when, as a 13-year-old, he wrote to company founder Dietrich Mateschitz asking for help.

Laid Back

That alone would not have been enough to secure the Jaguar drive but they were impressed with Klien's composure, speed and attitude when they tested him in Spain last year.

Before that he had finished runner-up in the European Formula Three series, winning four races as well as the non-championship Marlboro Masters at Zandvoort in the Netherlands. Klien also won the German Formula Renault title in 2002.

His composure has already earned him comparisons with Austrian greats Gerhard Berger and Niki Lauda. Klien has spoken to both, flying to Monaco to see Berger and glean useful advice.

"We have spoken about the demands of F1 - how to handle the pressure," he said. "He told me that whenever I needed help or just had a question to give him a call.

"I think I do have similar characteristics," he added. "All Austrians tend to be quite laid back and I think that might be a useful way to feel when the pressure starts to grow."

Klien, who flew to Malaysia for training after Christmas, will know all about pressure when he lines up with Ferrari's six times World Champion Michael Schumacher. He is, however, no fan of the German.

"I'm more a (Juan Pablo) Montoya fan," he said. "I think he's a great driver and I like his driving style and personality."