Vitantonio Liuzzi will return to racing for HRT in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next weekend.
Narain Karthikeyan took his place in the team for the Indian Grand Prix.
Liuzzi, who raced in the Gold Coast Australian V8 race after the Korean Grand Prix, said: “After lending my car to Narain for the Indian Grand Prix, I’m really looking forward to getting back into the action in Abu Dhabi.
“I’m positive coming into it because in India the car appeared to suit the track well and our pace was good in comparison to our rivals. Abu Dhabi is a special track because there is a lot of stop and go so we need to work on braking and traction.
“There are not many high speed corners and, overall, it is quite a tricky track because you have to work a lot over the kerbs. It is a circuit that I like and one where I have performed well in the past. We will face another tough weekend in Abu Dhabi but I am sure that we will put up a good fight.”
Team mate Daniel Ricciardo previously drove on the track for Red Bull last year’s young driver test.
Team principal Colin Kolles said: “For the first time, Daniel will drive at a racetrack that he has already been before with a Formula 1 as he was one of the young drivers participating in the post-race test. He actually had an impressive performance and, although this time will be a different situation, I am confident that this can allow him to kick the weekend off from a better position.
“Tonio will be back in the car this weekend and he is highly motivated. I am sure that we will see an interesting Grand Prix. The team’s performance has improved th roughout the season and the last races have been particularly positive for us. We certainly are in a much better position than we were eight months ago and I hope that we will continue this way until the end.”
2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Image © Motioncompany
Magnificent Geoffrey (@magnificent-geoffrey)
4th November 2011, 15:05
Just thinking, have we just witnessed the final Grand Prix start for Narain Karthikeyan?
alexf1man (@alexf1man)
4th November 2011, 15:18
@magnificent-geoffrey I think so, barring any potential return for Indian GPs.
Mike (@mike)
5th November 2011, 3:00
(Always next year)
d3v0 (@d3v0)
4th November 2011, 16:43
What a shocking and momentous occasion in F1 history haha.
Tommo N7 (@tommothfc)
4th November 2011, 17:36
One can hope.
Fixy (@)
4th November 2011, 18:37
Probably, @magnificent-geoffrey .
TheBrav3
5th November 2011, 7:35
I reckon he’ll be back next year for at least a race.
TED BELL
4th November 2011, 15:36
Would be nice to see HRT get some decent results.
graham228221 (@graham228221)
4th November 2011, 16:26
That cap must be a best seller
Alex (@)
4th November 2011, 19:04
He could probably convince people it says Calvin Klein instead of Viantonio Liuzzi.
Tommo N7 (@tommothfc)
4th November 2011, 17:40
I wonder if Liuzzi will be with HRT next season. He hasn’t exactly done brilliantly in a HRT, but then could anyone else do better? I have a thought that if Williams get enough investment that they could replace Maldonado, then he could end up at HRT, but that’s opening another can of worms. I can’t see HRT moving forward soon, despite the KERS deal with Williams, and I can’t see any other teams wanting to take Liuzzi on. I think his days are numbered.
PJ (@)
4th November 2011, 17:42
Who’s Williams reserve driver at the moment? Maybe he could slot in there if he’s no longer needed at HRT.
Fixy (@)
4th November 2011, 18:33
@pjtierney It’s Valtteri Bottas, the winner of the 2011 GP3 championship. Bottas won’t reach F1 before some more experience in feeder series such as GP2, so his seat as test driver for Williams is safe.
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
5th November 2011, 11:39
Magnificent-Geoffrey may be.
PJ (@)
4th November 2011, 17:45
I can imagine Narain 3 weeks ago going:
“Tonio, can I please have a go in your machine when we head back to my place in a fortnight?”
“Sure Narain, but I want it returned in the same condition as when I gave it to you!”
Fixy (@)
4th November 2011, 18:30
@pjtierney lol!
Fixy (@)
4th November 2011, 18:31
@pjtierney lol! Seems legit!
Fixy (@)
4th November 2011, 18:36
Forgive the double post!
Formula KID (@alexdell)
5th November 2011, 4:27
Nice 1 ….lol…..
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
5th November 2011, 10:15
Almost a shame for Karthikeyan, he had a good result in India.
I wonder if Liuzzi will be about next year…