Aston Martin signs Christian Klien as final factory driver

Ex-Formula One driver Christian Klien has completed Aston Martin Racing's factory driver lineup, the team said on Wednesday. He will join his new teammates in the all-new LMP1-class 007 AMR-One in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Klien competed in 49 F1 races since 2004 and drove for Peugeot in Europe's Le Mans Series, and in 2008, he had both the fastest lap and finished third in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“Christian brings a wealth of race expertise to the team with his background in F1 and in particular Le Mans,” said George Howard-Chappell, team principal. “I think he will be a great team player, and I am confident he will be a fantastic addition to Aston Martin Racing in our first year with the new AMR-One.”

Klien added, “I am looking forward to racing for a team that is established and is internationally renowned with such a racing pedigree.”

Klien will help develop the new AMR-One LMP1 car throughout the Le Mans Series season. The new car has completed early tests and will make its race debut on April 3 at Circuit Paul Ricard in France.

“Due to the timing of my inclusion with the AMR team, I will commence my involvement with the development of the new AMR-One after the opening race of the Le Mans Series at Paul Ricard,” said Klien.

Klien will also pilot the AMR-One on May 7 for the second Le Mans Series race of 2011, at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

As the sixth and final driver for long-distance endurance events, Klien will join Adrian Fernandez, Andy Meyrick, Stefan M

By David Arnouts