Christian Klien.

At just 25 years of age, Christian Klien, the BMW Sauber F1 Team’s test and reserve driver, can already call on several years of Formula One experience. The Austrian made his debut in motor sport’s elite class in 2004, and won his first World Championship points with Jaguar. After two years driving for Red Bull Racing, he spent 2007 as the test driver for Honda. Christian has contested 46 Formula One races to date, and has picked up 14 World Championship points. His best Formula One results so far have been fourth on the grid and a fifth-placed race finish.

Christian learnt the basics for a successful racing career on the karting circuit, where he received active support from his entire family. In 1999, following numerous successes as a kart driver, Christian made the step up to Formula BMW, which at that time was called the Formula BMW ADAC Junior Cup.

He ended his first year in the successful junior series in fourth place overall. Two years later, five race victories helped Christian climb to third place overall. “In Formula BMW I learnt the basics of formula racing,” he recalls, “and so joining the BMW Sauber F1 Team is a bit of a homecoming for me. I’m really pleased that I will be part of the team in 2008 and continue to be involved in Formula One.”

Prior to his Formula One debut, Christian gained further experience in other Formula racing series. He won the German Formula Renault in 2002 and was runner-up in the 2003 Formula 3 Euro Series. The following year saw one of his dreams come true: Christian competed his first Formula One season. More were to follow.

“We wanted a third driver with Formula One racing experience,” explains BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. “With Christian we have signed on a driver who is familiar with the format of a grand prix weekend and can step into the breach right away should one of our team drivers have to back out.”