APRIL 5, 2005

Liuzzi in for Klien

Vitantonio Liuzzi will make his Formula 1 race debut with the Red Bull Racing team at the San Marino Grand Prix on April 24. The 24 year old Italian has been the team's Friday test and reserve driver at the first three Grand Prix of the season and will now partner David Coulthard in Imola, Barcelona and Monte Carlo. Klien will then come back, probably for the three races that follow. It is not yet clear who will take over from Liuzzi as the team's third driver on Fridays but Klien cannot do it because of the rules that state that drivers with too much experience cannot take part. Klien will test away from the races. The job is likely to go to either Scott Speed or Switzerland's Neel Jani, both of whom will be at Imola, racing in GP2.

"I am very happy to get this chance to race in Formula 1," said Liuzzi. "It has always been my target since I started racing. It is particularly exciting for me to have my first race at my home Grand Prix in Imola. This is a great opportunity for me."