Klien, Liuzzi get one-year Red Bull deals.

Red Bull has confirmed that both Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi have agreed contracts with Red Bull Racing for the forthcoming season, but has refused to disclose whether any decision has been made regarding the identity of its second race driver.

David Coulthard has already inked a one-year deal to lead the team in 2005, leaving promising youngsters Klien and Liuzzi to battle for the second seat. The unlucky driver will then be consigned to testing duties for at least the early part of the year. A decision on who will partner Coulthard is expected after another series of tests in which both Klien and Liuzzi will run alongside the Scot.

"Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi have both signed contracts with the team for 2005," a statement from Red Bull's headquarters in Austria confirmed, "Christian and Vitantonio, both members of the Red Bull Junior Team, have identical [one-year] contracts, enabling either to be race or test driver, with an option for additional years.

"The second race driver will be confirmed before the start of the season in March in Melbourne, with all three drivers completing testing duties for the team in January and February."

Klien would appear the most likely partner for Coulthard, having already amassed a year's experience of Formula One as team-mate to Mark Webber at Jaguar in 2004. Although the young Austrian struggled to match his team-mate's performances, his learning curve would be less steep than that facing Liuzzi.

"I am very happy with this contract," Klien admitted, "It is even more special to me as the team's launch will be at Jerez on 7 February, which is my birthday.

"It is, of course, a great honour for any 22-year old to be involved in Formula One, and this will also be my ninth year with Red Bull. I will be testing with the team over the next few weeks and am, of course, hoping to be on the grid at the start of the season in Melbourne."

Reigning FIA F3000 champion Liuzzi has shown, via his performances in 2004, that he can handle a race car, but had precious little F1 experience, having had limited outings with Williams and Sauber before embarking on this winter's test programme with Red Bull Racing. The Italian had previously suggested that he would not be happy with a seat-sharing arrangement with Klien, but appears to have acquiesced despite possible seats remaining available elsewhere.

"This contract is a great honour for me," the former world karting champion acknowledged, "I am very happy about this New Year present and am glad to be a member of the Red Bull family, which I already know quite well, and to join the team in Formula One."