Jan.18 (GMM) After missing out on the vacant Force India race cockpit for 2008, Christian Klien has been summoned by the Austrian army to do six months of mandatory military service this year.

According to reports in the former Jaguar, Red Bull and Honda driver's native country, the 24-year-old was on Thursday ordered to report for duty at Vorarlberg, the western province that houses his home town Hohenems.

Klien, however, lives across the border in Switzerland, moving him to write to Austrian authorities asking for an exemption from the army summons.

The Austrian army refused his request, confirming that he should report to the Vorarlberg barracks in March.

Klien was this week testing Mercedes-Benz's works DTM car in Portugal, the Austrian broadcaster ORF said.

Some reports said Klien's mandatory duty could be postponed if he secures another job in motor sport for 2008.