Feb.23 (GMM) Christian Klien struggled to smile on Monday, as he was presented as Peugeot's Le Mans reserve driver for 2010.

The Austrian had held off signing a race deal with the French carmaker because he was hoping to this year end his stint as a formula one reserve driver.

Signing for Le Mans would have made him unavailable for June's Canadian grand prix.

But when race seat opportunities with Sauber, Renault, USF1 and Campos were all exhausted, all that was left at Peugeot for Klien was the reserve role.

Asked if he regretted gambling his 2010 season on F1, he is quoted as saying by Speed Week: "No, the chances (of a seat) were greater than ever, with the new teams and the many driver changes.

"I was very close with Sauber and Renault, but it was not meant to be. Under the circumstances, I would do it the same way again," said Klien.

Also missing from the Montreal paddock in June will be the BBC radio commentator Anthony Davidson, who has signed to race at Le Mans with Peugeot.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version