Klien Keeps Pushing for HRT Seat

Austrian driver Christian Klien has not yet given up hope on securing a race seat in the 2011 Formula 1 championship. As long as there is one more vacancy available on this year's entry list, the 28-year old plans to make the most of it, especially since we're talking about a team for whom he started a few races back in 2010, Hispania Racing F1 Team.

After being evaluated by HRT F1 in recent testing, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Giorgio Mondini have been widely considered favorites for grabbing the second seat at the Spanish squad for 2011. However, having driven for Colin Kolles' team in the late stages of last year, when he replaced Sakon Yamamoto, Klien is hopeful that his performances will convince the team officials that he deserves a full-time drive this season.

“My manager Roman Rummenigge is in permanent contact with the (HRT) team's management,” announced Klien on his official website, while also pointing out that he holds as many chances as Liuzzi and Mondini for the seat.

“All tests were done with the 2010 car, which I have raced on five weekends last season,” he insisted.

Additionally, he insisted that while putting all efforts into securing a drive in the 2011 F1 championship, he will not take a sabbatical this year in case thing don't work out. However, he avoided to say what series he'd be comfortable in should the talks with HRT fail.

“If neither works out you will certainly find me racing elsewhere,” he added.