Motor racing-Honda appoint Austrian Klien as F1 test driver

LONDON, Nov 15 (Reuters) Austrian Christian Klien will be Honda's test and reserve driver next season, the Formula One team announced today.

Klien, who made his debut with Jaguar in 2004 and raced for Red Bull in 2005 and this year before being dropped in September, will back up Briton Jenson Button and Brazilian Rubens Barrichello at the British-based team.

The 23-year-old replaces Briton Anthony Davidson, who will be racing for Super Aguri next year.

Briton James Rossiter, also 23, steps up to the role of official test driver.

''Christian has accumulated a great deal of experience in Formula One over the past three years and this should prove extremely valuable to us given the limitations placed on teams by the new testing regulations,'' said Honda sporting director Gil de Ferran in a statement.

Teams have agreed to do far less testing next year, to save money and as a result of Bridgestone becoming the sole tyre supplier.

Klien, who turned down a move to the US ChampCar series with Red Bull, said he saw the job as a chance to stay in Formula One and progress his career.

The appointment ended the hopes of Briton Gary Paffett, the McLaren test driver who had been linked to Honda after recognising that he had little chance of a race seat at Mercedes-powered McLaren next year.

REUTERS SAM VV1916