Klien eager to score

Red Bull Racing driver, Christian Klien, is aiming to become a regular point scorer during the 2006 Formula One season. After sharing driving duties with Tonio Liuzzi in 2005, Klien is keen to make the most of his 2006 full-time driver's seat.

Christian Klien "I hope we can be regularly in the top eight, and I hope I can get my first podium – that's for sure the target. And then we should make another step forward in 2007, with an Adrian Newey-designed car."

Adrian Newey finally joined the team last week and everyone in the Red Bull team seem eager to get working with the former McLaren man. Klien believes the team will be able to improve a lot in 2006 thanks to the added knowledge of Newey.

"I watched him during testing last week, and you could see that he knows already what we could do better, what we can improve on the car. The car was designed by Mark Smith, who is a really good guy as well. So I am confident that we can get it quick for the first races."

Last year was very much a trial for Klien and he admits he is far happier now that he doesn't have to share a car with someone else.

"Last year was a difficult year. Sharing the car with another driver is not very easy – you don't have all the races to prepare, and in this stage of my career I need as much experience as possible. But for this year, I found out just before Christmas that I will be racing for a full season in the team in 2006, so I'm very happy and I have enough time to prepare. I'm really looking forward to the season."

The Red Bull team will also be running new engines in 2006. After using Cosworth engines last season the team will now be using Ferrari engines, a change Klien believes is good for the team.

"Getting the Ferrari engine is a very good thing for the team. Everything went really well in our first test. The engine is reliable and feels powerful. For me, it's the first time in a V8 and obviously you really have to change the driving style. You always have to make sure you are at high revs in the corner, so you can use all the power of the V8. So it's a new challenge."

Klien learned a lot from his very experienced team mate, David Coulthard, last season and hopefully for the Austrian that results in a good Formula 1 season.