Luizzi set to take Fischi's seat at FIF1 next year

[John S]

So will this be Fischi's last season? If this is true what options does Fischi have, one of the new teams maybe?

Tonio Liuzzi today indicated he may soon be able to announce his return to Formula One.

The 27-year-old Italian has spent the last two seasons as Force India's test and reserve driver, and it is believed his deal with the Silverstone-based squad guarantees a race seat next year.

Liuzzi, already with 39 Grand Prix under his belt for Red Bull's F1 teams, did not refer to his contract at the Nurburgring on Saturday, but grinned when asked which of the three new entrants he most fancies for a ride next year.

"Maybe one of the present ones," he told the BBC. "Hopefully soon we can announce something. I think we are really close to stepping back into a race seat.”

Force India are expected to take up the option on Adrian Sutil’s option shortly while Giancarlo Fisichella’s current deal is expected to lapse.

E.A. © CAPSIS International

[mrkjf]

So will this be Fischi's last season? If this is true what options does Fischi have, one of the new teams maybe?

Tonio Liuzzi today indicated he may soon be able to announce his return to Formula One.

The 27-year-old Italian has spent the last two seasons as Force India's test and reserve driver, and it is believed his deal with the Silverstone-based squad guarantees a race seat next year.

Liuzzi, already with 39 Grand Prix under his belt for Red Bull's F1 teams, did not refer to his contract at the Nurburgring on Saturday, but grinned when asked which of the three new entrants he most fancies for a ride next year.

"Maybe one of the present ones," he told the BBC. "Hopefully soon we can announce something. I think we are really close to stepping back into a race seat.”

Force India are expected to take up the option on Adrian Sutil’s option shortly while Giancarlo Fisichella’s current deal is expected to lapse.

E.A. © CAPSIS International

I hope not as the last thing we need is another crap driver thats why he lost his seat in the first place,and as for Fischi hes had 3 win in 221 starts not a good record.We need some new blood,exciting drivers just like Vettel,personally ide bring in Bruno Senna but would he take it because of where they usually are at the back.And i think with the name Senna he will be looking at a bigger team.

[Jericoke]

So will this be Fischi's last season? If this is true what options does Fischi have, one of the new teams maybe?

Liuzzi, already with 39 Grand Prix under his belt for Red Bull's F1 teams, did not refer to his contract at the Nurburgring on Saturday, but grinned when asked which of the three new entrants he most fancies for a ride next year.

E.A. © CAPSIS International

I hope not as the last thing we need is another crap driver thats why he lost his seat in the first place,and as for Fischi hes had 3 win in 221 starts not a good record.We need some new blood,exciting drivers just like Vettel,personally ide bring in Bruno Senna but would he take it because of where they usually are at the back.And i think with the name Senna he will be looking at a bigger team.

I wonder if an unintended consequence of the testing ban is that teams feel they need experienced drivers.  The up and coming drivers aren't getting a chance to develop in a test role like they used to.

Starting out with a backmarking team doesn't rule out a good future either.  Webber started with Minardi.  I don't think anyone expected STR to win a race last season, and now Vettel is a genuine star.  While Brawn is unique, not many people expected much from a privateer team based off of a disastrous factory team.

Even Michael Schumacher knew he wouldn't get far with Jordan, but still used them to get his foot in the door.

[Alianora La Canta]

Tonio thought he was bound to get a Force India seat last year and it never materialised. That said, given that Adrian appears to have gone up several teams' shopping lists after recent performances, Force India will probably need a replacement.

The trouble with FIF1 taking an upcoming driver is that they don't want to block Karun Chandhok's progression into an F1 seat, but Karun isn't developing as fast as they expected. Maybe in 2011 he'll be ready, but putting in another newbie first won't exactly help Karun think he's still on the shopping list. Hence why Force India isn't looking beyond its current driver roster.

[cosworth151]

Minardi was a starting point for many F1 drivers. Just to name a few:

Alboreto, Alonso, Badoer, Davidson, de Cesaris, Fisichella, Gene, Moreno, Trulli, Verstappen, Webber and Zanardi.