Christian Klien says he hopes to use his new role as Honda’s ‘reserve’ driver to one day return to the F1 grid.
The 23-year-old Austrian landed the role despite reports that the highly rated Gary Paffett was the more likely candidate, but Klien also negotiated seriously with Spyker about a race seat.
“The possibility to improve even more is stronger with a top team like Honda,” Klien told the newspaper Kleinen Zeitung.
Despite suggestions that his contract is for more than a single season, he admitted that returning to the grid as soon as possible was his target.
“If I do a good job then hopefully I will race again,” he said.
To the Austrian daily ‘Der Standard’, Klien denied that he is feeling disappointed about missing out on becoming Christijan Albers’ Spyker teammate.
“At first you might think that being a test driver is like a step back for me,” the former Red Bull and Jaguar racer continued, also having rejected a Champ Car drive, “but I can learn a lot at Honda.
“I think I found a good solution. There were a lot of conversations with both Honda and Spyker so I am relieved. Honda’s objective is to win the world championship in 2007.”
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
