Formula One news

Liuzzi: I'm born for racing

Vitantonio Liuzzi will make his return this weekend after a near two-year sabbatical from racing in Formula One. The Italian, who will be making his comeback for Force India at his home Grand Prix, has since raced in the Supercar Series and A1 Grand Prix and hopes to be on the pace immediately.

The reserve driver has had more time for off-track activities during both the 2008 and 2009 seasons

Interlagos 2007, the race in which Kimi Räikkönen claimed that year's Drivers' crown, was the last time Tonio raced in F1 for Scuderia Toro Rosso. Having spent a season and three quarters as Force India tester, the 29-year-old from Locorotondo will partner Germany's Adrian Sutil in a race for the first time.

"Until a few months ago we were testing all the new updates that we put on the car, like the package we had in Valencia and before that, Silverstone," Liuzzi explained. "We always run what we are testing in the wind tunnel and what we are bringing to the circuit, to see if it's giving the same answer."

Liuzzi signs autographs for fans ahead of practice in Australia

The last time Tonio drove the Mercedes-powered VJM02 was at Kemble Airport in Gloucestershire for a straight-line test last week although no circuit mileage has been notched up since before the start of the season. "I feel very much involved with the team and with the improvements we've made," he continued. "A lot of the developments have been made with the wind tunnel and I'm very happy that the team is moving forward and we are doing a great job.

"For sure, in Spa it was a bit of a dream for us to be on pole position but it's been a difficult year because it's been my second year as a third driver; I think I'm born for racing and, in the end, it's difficult to watch the races on TV - but inside myself I was pretty confident that I'd be back in a race seat soon and it kept me motivated for the future. I was ready to jump in the car whenever I was needed!"

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