Even though initial reports indicated that former McLaren star David Coulthard was not on Red Bull’s list of possible drivers for the 2005 championship season, a recent interview with team boss Dietrich Mateschitz has revealed that the Scot ahs been thought of due to his experience behind the wheel of an F1 contender, the same as Williams favourite, former Jordan driver Nick Heidfeld.
"Among the experienced drivers with 'development know-how', David Coulthard and Nick Heidfeld would be of interest, for example," he told Reuters.
However, that said, the Austrian also confirmed earlier reports that 2004 Jaguar racing and Red Bull sponsored driver Christian Klien was a firm favourite for one of the two seats, as was up and coming Italian racer Vitantonio Liuzzi, but the two men would have to prove themselves before pen was put to paper.
"It's no accident that people talk about the first year in Formula One as being a learning year," he said. "Afterwards a driver has to prove himself. From that point of view, Christian Klien should get his chance, but he has to prove himself in a series of tests - just like Vitantonio Liuzzi, who impressively won the Formula 3000 championship as a Red Bull junior driver. Our focus is on the drivers, the sport, and the fun involved in the sport. Our approach to Formula One is completely different from that of a carmaker: it is more subtle and probably also more competitive. We are involved in Formula One for our drivers and for our rookie team. And we are going to be successful at it because our most urgent priority is to establish a team standing that is in keeping with the Red Bull standards."
;)
