Vitantonio Liuzzi struggling to get a seat in the 2011 Formula 1 season
Vitantonio Liuzzi, the Italian Force India driver, is currently in a bit of an awkward situation. Technically speaking, he is still under Force India’s contract even trying to resolve his payment matters with them.
However, he has recently test driven the Hispania Racing Team car in anticipation of grasping the last seat available for the Formula one season 2011.
With just one month to go in the rescheduled 2011 season opener, this is his last chance to appear on the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia this year. The 29-year-old has been rightly referred to be in a “difficult contractual position”.
His 15th position in the championship last year with 21 points, which was also his career best performance, does not seem good enough to impress Force India. They have welcomed Scot, Paul De Resta, instead for the 2011 season. For that reason,
after trying his luck to replace the injured Renault driver Robert Kubica went in vain - as Nick Heidfeld took his place - Liuzzi is trying his level best to come in terms with the HRT.
Although, Colin Kolles has called Liuzzi “a strong contender for the second seat” there is no confirmation made by the HRT yet. Liuzzi has been reported to have said, “At the moment nothing is decided, we're just having good talks and we'll listen in the
next days to see what will happen.”
HRT is accounted to have dropped a line to Christian Klien, as well. Both Liuzzi and Klein have previously been racing for Red Bull in turns, in 2005, until the seat was given to Klien for the Canadian Grand Prix. Now, Klien has already impressed HRT with
his performance in 2010 when he raced in three Grand Prix for the struggling team in Singapore, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.
Since HRT to some extent, seem short on sponsors, they might as well be considering hiring a pay-driver. But Liuzzi seems to be quite clear about his objective on paying while racing: “They would prefer a driver that brings money I guess, but it's not my
case because I've never done it and I cannot start now. I bring my experience, my speed and I do my best for the team, that's for sure.”
However, if he stays bent upon his decision and the HRT are not willing to hire a non pay-driver, he may well be be left jobless this season.
Meanwhile, when Liuzzi is still trying to negotiate a compensation payment from Force India, reports suggest that if the former Red Bull and Toro Rosso driver gets signed with HRT for the season 2011, it could eventually put his talks with the Force India
at risk.
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