The last Formula 1 seat occupied by Vitantonio Liuzzi, so Christian Klien has taken refuge in endurance racing for the 2011 season. He will start the Le Mans Series race at Spa-Francorchamps driving the new Aston Martin Racing prototype before heading to Le Mans.

The Austrian driver, who had three grand prix at HRT last season, banked on a contract with this same team for the upcoming season. Alas, as early last year, Christian Klien ended up without a ride.

With the Peugeot Sport team in 2008 and 2009, the native of Vorarlberg was banking his future on the Formula 1 in 2010. Olivier Quesnel, Director of Peugeot Sport was clear: he wanted to race drivers involved 100% in endurance. But the former Red Bull hope loudly proclaimed that his priority remained in Formula 1. The result was that Christian Klien had no choice but to accept the burden of reserve driver for Peugeot Sport.

Present at the 24 Hours of Le Mans during the week, the Austrian was furious at not being able to sit behind the wheel of the 908 HDi FAP in which he had ascended the third step of the podium in 2008. When Olivier Quesnel announced  the drivers who would be renewed for next season just after the Le Mans race in 2010, the situation was clear: no room at Peugeot Sport as a race driver, despite a burst of speed that allowed him to score the fastest lap during the 2009 race.

The lessons of last year have borne fruit and Christian who probably did not want to relive the difficult situation lin 2010, the Austrian driver was quick to find an endurance drive for the 2011 season. He takes the last available place in Aston Martin Racing's car No. 007, along with Darren Turner and Stefan Mücke. However, due to the late timing of the agreement, he will miss the first race of the season at Le Castellet and will begin participating in the development of the car after the race.

He joins a team that has shown itself capable of producing a reliable car after the fourth place gained in the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans which will race this year in LM P1, as he explained:

"Having competed in three F1 races in 2010, I wanted to continue to race with a team that gave me consistency, at the top level of motorsport. I decided that the best opportunity to give me a focus and to retain my independence was to compete in the 24 hours of Le Mans with Aston Martin Racing and at selected other races in the LMP1 category as a full factory works driver." ... "During my very first visit to Aston Martin Racing, I was immediately impressed, feeling the spirit and passion of their long association with Le Mans as former GT1 winners of the 24 Hour Race."

For now, the program of Christian Klien includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a few other races with Aston Martin Racing and the development work that will lead to the arrival of the AMR-One in La Sarthe.

Cecile Bonardel (from the press release of the driver)