Klien, Liuzzi play down rivalry

The pair have signed identical contracts with the former Jaguar Racing
outfit - and that means they can be called upon either to race for the team or test with it in 2005.

And although a final decision about who will partner David Coulthard is now unlikely to be made until the eve of the season, with RBR having put off the launch of its 2005 challenger until the Australian Grand Prix, Liuzzi and Klien must now play the waiting game.

Speaking at the Autosport International show, Klien made it clear that there was no animosity between the two despite their equal desire to race this year.

"We don't fight against each other," said the Austrian. "We have known each other for three of four years and we are good friends. But for sure both of us want to drive in F1 and we want to have the race seat.

"At the moment it is not sure who is starting the season, so we will be testing in January and February and then they will decide. It is important to do a good job and help the team to go forwards, then we will see how the season will go."

For his part, Liuzzi said: "It was an amazing year [in Formula 3000] with an English team, I drove with Arden [owned by Christian Horner], so it brought me good luck. Stepping up to F1 with Red Bull Racing is a dream come true.

"Of course Christian [Horner] is really a nice and clver guy, he is a really impressive guy. I think he can make a big change to the structure of the team; it is a young team and they need new power.

"It is difficult at the moment to judge because the tests will be important about who will drive and who will start the season, but I think there is a chance to share the seat. We still don't know.

"I have to try and help the team with my information and do my best in Friday if I do the third drive, but at the moment I have a good relationship with DC and Christian. I try my best to help them and after that it is all up in the air."

Klien added that he was optimistic about the team's chances for 2005, especially since it had secured the services of David Coulthard.

"I think David is massively important for the team because he has so much experience that he can put in the team," he explained. "We are the young drivers and we can learn a lot from an experienced driver. He is a very nice guy - we were all training last week in Monaco, so all in all I think we will have a good year."