A couple of pieces if news came out of Europe today as Vitantonio Liuzzi was named to drive the Red Bull-Cosworth at the next three races in lieu of Christian Klien who has struggled so far this season, but still brings a boatload of cash to the table. Liuzzi, who has been the test driver at Red Bull this year will make his race debut in the car next Sunday at Imola. Klien will test the Red Bull at test sessions away from the track, but he is not eligible to drive the third car on Fridays at the Grand Prix events due to his race experience in F1.
While drivers are moved up and down all of the time in F1 Kliens demotion comes at a time when David Coulthard has made great progress with the Red Bull car this season. Klien brings so much Red Bull money to the team it is surprising he would get the hook this quick, but the team seems to be serious.
What this does is open the door for American Scott Speed to take the testing seat for race weekends. Speed, who won Danny Sullivan and Red Bulls contest to find an American to be in F1 is a Texan who moved to Florida. He is currently competing in F3000 and F2 this season, but seemed to be a heart beat away from the A team. The Milton Keynes team has said they are not unhappy with Klien, but one really has to wonder about that.
What a great opportunity for Scott Speed. While Red Bull is not the top of the grid, DC has proven this season that they can be competitive.
Speaking of DC, Sunday’s little tête-à-tête with friend Jacques Villeneuve caused some friction between the two. JV and DC are both under contracts that pay them only when they score points and each point is crucial to them. JV was none too pleased that DC hit him late in the race and said it was Coulthard’s fault he did not score any points. Now we all know JV is done on the circuit and he needs to just ride off into the sunset, but apparently DC felt his friend was correct on this matter and offered to split his earnings with JV. Rumor has it that the two kissed and made up and no money was exchanged.
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