Honda sign Klien as reserve driver

Klien left the Red Bull Racing squad earlier this year after the Austrian squad decided to sign Mark Webber to partner David Coulthard next year.

Klien will work as test and reserve driver, while Briton James Rossiter steps up to the role of official test driver.

The Austrian occupies the vacancy left by Anthony Davidson, who will race for the Super Aguri team in 2007.

"I am very proud to be joining the Honda Racing F1 team," said Klien. "This is a fantastic opportunity for me to work with one of the top manufacturers in Formula One and alongside two of the best race drivers.

"I have three years of F1 experience to contribute and I am looking forward to helping Honda to achieve its ambitions. Equally, I have a great opportunity to progress my own career.

"I am very much looking forward to driving the car for the first time when winter testing begins."

Sporting Director Gil de Ferran added: "I would like to welcome Christian to the Honda Racing F1 team as he takes up his new role as our test and reserve Driver.

"Christian has accumulated a great deal of experience in Formula One over the past three years and this should prove extremely valuable to us given the limitations placed on teams by the new testing regulations.

"We expect Christian to play an important role in the development of the RA107 and we look forward to working very closely with him in the winter, together with James who steps up to be an official test driver for us."