Christian Klien  Born: 07.02.83  Birthplace:Hohenems, Austria  Team: Red Bull  2006 Car Number: 15  Last Season: equal 14th  GP Pedigree (After Italian GP)  Starts: 49  Victories: 0  Poles: 0  Fastest Laps: 0  Points: 14  GP Debut: 2004, Australian GP, Jaguar   Five-year Stats

Austrian driver Christian Klien made a rapid rise from karting in Switzerland to success in various European Formula series with 2003 proving to be his breakthrough season.

Four victories and nine podiums from 21 races in the Formula 3 Euro Series rewarded him second place overall and acclaim as the best rookie driver.

Meanwhile victory in the prestigious Marlboro Masters in Zandvoort earned him a chance to test for F1's Jaguar Racing outfit.

Impressive times led to the Austrian landing the role of Mark Webber's team-mate for the 2004 F1 world championship.

His first year in F1, though, wasn't as successful as he had hoped.

Not only did he struggle to cope with single-lap qualifying, he failed to match his team-mate's pace during Sunday's grands prix.

However Red Bull Racing, who had bought the Jaguar team during the off-season, opted to give him another shot and teamed him up with experienced racer David Coulthard.

And although Christian was expected to share the seat with test driver Vitantonio Liuzzi, his improved performances meant he raced in all but four events, impressing with five points-scoring results including a P5 in China.

Having proven himself now, Christian won't have to step aside for anyone this year and - armed with Ferrari power as well as the benefits of design guru Adrian Newey’s influence - he can look forward to more top-eight performances in 2006.

Formula One Career:

2006:	GP with Red Bull.
2005:	GP with Red Bull (9pts - tied 14th in championship).
2004:	GP with Jaguar - (3pts - tied 16th in championship).

Background:

2003:	Runner-up in Formula Three Euro Series after four wins and finished top rookie. Won Marlboro Masters F3 race in Zandvoort.
2002:	Won German Formula Renault title after five victories.
2001:	Finished third in Formula BMW series after five wins.
2000:	Finished 10th in senior Formula BMW series and edned third in rookie rankings.
1999:	Finished fourth in German Formula BMW Junior championship with four wins.
1998:	Finished second in 24-hour kart races at Dornbirn and Saalfelden in Austria.
1997:	Finished fifth in full Swiss kart championship.
1996:	Won Swiss mini kart championship.