Is Vitantonio Liuzzi's Career Over?
Time up for Tonio?
Vitantonio Liuzzi’s career is very much in doubt since rumours were spread that he would be replaced at Force India by reserve driver Paul di Resta.
The Italian has since denied the he report stating he has a contract for 2011. What Liuzzi hasn’t considered is that much better in contract drivers have lost their seats, including Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari in 2009. Currently there are several more skilled drivers looking for a seat at the moment so it could prove difficult to find a drive.
Although he claims the contract will keep him at the team, it doesn’t stipulate what the driver duties are. It is possible that the Italian could stay at the team, but remain as a test driver; they could also buy him out of contract before Bahrain.
If Liuzzi does lose his drive, whether he leaves the team or not, can his career survive another setback like this. Liuzzi replaced Giancarlo Fisichella, when he moved to Ferrari towards the end of 2009, and has since taken 29 points. His best result was sixth in Korea; however, this was a particularly crash heavy race where only 15 drivers finished.
His stint at Force India was the best of his career, after spending three years between Red Bull and Toro Rosso. In that time, he collected six points and was unceremoniously for the talents of Champ Car world champion Sebastian Bourdais. Outside of his current team he hasn’t developed much of a reputation, crashing out of five races in 2010 and red flagging a few practice sessions.
If he is to leave the team, in favour of di Resta and the rumoured reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg, he has very few other chances to race. Only seats remain at Mercedes and HRT and Nico Rosberg is likely to reclaim his seat at the German team after outperforming Michael Schumacher over the season. The two seats are still open at HRT, but they as are currently struggling with funds, they may go for someone who can bring in more money. If Hulkenberg plans to keep a drive in F1 he may go for one of these and it is highly possible Bruno Senna might take the other.
If the rumours are true and Force India call up reserve driver di Resta it could be curtains for Liuzzi as I doubt he will get a first team drive again.
Posted by Sadhbh O'Shea - Follow her on twitter @SadhbhOS.
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Last Comment Posted »
it is tough because formula one is so different even though they've tried to make formulas like gp2 much closer. I mean look at Sebastian Bourdais he...
by Sadhbh
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Recent comments on this article:
#1 Sadhbh | 4 Jan 2011, 21:07 Reply »
I think Liuzzi has been given many more chances than he deserves and it's about time someone with more talent gets a chance. Sometimes skill lower down the orders doesn't translate to F1 and Liuzzi is the perfect example of that.
I still think Hulkenberg should be given a first team drive and not settle for reserve driver.
#2 Jimmy@enterF1 | 4 Jan 2011, 22:28 Reply »
yeah spot on about lower formula talent not always materialising in F1.. it does happen and it does seem to have happened to Liuzzi. Shame... nice bloke! But probably time to get some one different in the seat
#3 MartyP | 6 Jan 2011, 23:36 Reply »
I've always rated Liuzzi but I think he's had enough chances and that his time is up.
Would be nice to see him in the DTM or something like that.
#4 Jimmy@enterF1 | 7 Jan 2011, 16:38 Reply »
It must be just unimaginable, the feeling you would have after blitzing your way through the ranks on your way to F1 and then once there, to realise you aren't cutting it and perhaps you're racing on borrowed time.
These guys are in their 20's are finding out first hand that they will never cut it at the sharp end of their industry - can't be easy!
#5 Sadhbh | 7 Jan 2011, 20:14 Reply »
it is tough because formula one is so different even though they've tried to make formulas like gp2 much closer. I mean look at Sebastian Bourdais he was a God in Champ cars, like Cristiano de Matta too and they both couldn't hack it in F1.
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