David Coulthard's experience would be an asset for the new Red Bull team, former world champion Niki Lauda says.

The Austrian energy drink company, owned by billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, sealed the takeover of Ford's Jaguar team on Monday, deadline day for entries to the 2005 championship.

"He (Mateschitz) must sign up the right people so that the car is successful quickly," Lauda, also an Austrian, told Der Standard newspaper. "David Coulthard is free and he would be a good solution because of his experience."

Coulthard, 33, does not have a drive next season after leaving McLaren. The Scot, winner of more races than any current driver other than Ferrari's seven-times champion Michael Schumacher, was negotiating with Jaguar before Ford decided to sell the team although he has denied signing a contract.

Red Bull backed Austrian Formula One rookie Christian Klien at Jaguar in 2004 and has a strong interest in promoting young drivers.

But Lauda said: "It is not crucial whether a driver like Christian Klien sits in the cockpit. Mateschitz should give tests to youngsters but pick the fastest (drivers)."

Klien, 21, said he was delighted and relieved by Jaguar's takeover by Red Bull, but was guarded about his own future.

"It's too early to make definite statements," he told the Austrian news agency APA. "My future was not, and is not, linked inextricably with the purchase of Jaguar by Red Bull."

Klien is due to test for the team in Barcelona on November 24. Aside from Klien, Red Bull Racing also confirmed that they will test 23-year-old Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi at the forthcoming Barcelona test (November 24-26).

Liuzzi is no stranger to Red Bull; he was part of the Red Bull Junior Team driver Development programme; which selects talents and offers support and advice from their first go-karting attempts right up to the ultimate discipline.

Expected to be hot property, Liuzzi broke the record for the most wins in one year in this years FIA F3000 Championship and went on to secure it.

Liuzzi has karted with the likes of Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher (in the 2001 Karting World Championship) and won the Italian Karting Championship in 1993 at the tender age of 11.

Red Bull Racing Team Principal Tony Purnell commented: “It is great to be testing Liuzzi. I have known him since his early karting days and I believe he is full of potential for the future.”

Liuzzi visited the Milton Keynes based team on Tuesday this week for a seat fitting and commented: “Its an exciting opportunity to be testing for Red Bull Racing. They have been very supportive to me and my racing.”

Red Bull Racing will commence its testing programme with an interim car and livery at three tests in Barcelona (November 24-26) and Jerez (December 1-3 & 8-11).

Liuzzi will be supported in testing by Christian Klien and Bjorn Wirdheim.