Christian Klien is set to spend another season in F1 after BMW announced that he would be their 2008 test driver along with Marko Asmer.

Having parted ways with Honda at the end of last year, Klien had hoped to land a race-seat with the Force India outfit. However, that went to Giancarlo Fisichella, leaving the Austrian without a drive.

It didn't take him long though to find a new job with BMW announcing on Saturday that they had signed him as one of their two test drivers for this year's championship.

"We wanted a third driver with Formula One racing experience," said BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen, "as well as an up-and-coming young driver for us to train up to Formula One level.

"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.

"Marko has driven our car four times since December 4 and has made steady progress. He has worked in a concentrated, focused and calm fashion.

"The feedback from the engineers bears positive testimony to him, and the chemistry between him and the team is right as well."

Klien already has a history with BMW having competed in Formula BMW in 1999 following a career in karting.

"That's where 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."

As for Asmer, he's looking forward to the chance to make a name for himself in F1.

"I always hoped for an opportunity to get into Formula One," said the Estonian.

"Naturally I did everything I could to avoid any mistakes and to do a good job. I learnt a lot while driving in the tests at Jerez and Valencia, but also as a spectator and observer.

"I was given a very friendly welcome and got on just fine. I feel good in the BMW Sauber F1 Team and I'm very grateful to be a part of it now."