After Marussia, Luiz Razia turns to Caterham and Force India for 2013
In advanced discussions with Marussia for a starting position in 2013, Luiz Razia admits to being surprised by the Anglo-Russian team's decision to hire Max Chilton. The Brazilian, however, more determined than ever to join the big F1 circus, is now eyeing the last vacant seats at Force India and Caterham.
Discreet in the transfer market, Luiz Razia is nonetheless active, knocking on the doors of various teams including Lotus and Marussia, who have respectively announced Romain Grosjean and Max Chilton for the 2013 season, thus ending the ambitions of the 2012 GP2 Series vice-champion, a four-time winner this season: « In truth, at Lotus, we didn’t really have much chance, but Marussia took us by surprise, » admits the Brazilian to the site Globoesporte.com. « Up until [Monday], we were still talking to them, and the team seemed quite open to the idea of taking us. Even [Tuesday], they told me they were still thinking about it, and then they reached an agreement with Max [Chilton]… »
The native of Barreiras, however, does not give up as some seats remain to be filled, notably at Force India and Caterham, for whom he has already served as a test driver more or less occasionally and which are, to date, the only teams that could still offer him a starting position in 2013: « We have been discussing with both teams for some time, so yes, we still have our chances. I’m doing my job [but] there are limits to what I can do. I can talk to the teams, show them what I can offer them, but some teams prefer drivers with money, a reality I cannot fight against. We have sponsors, but we have our limits: we are not a bottomless pit. »
Whatever his chances of becoming a starter in 2013, Luiz Razia believes he cannot give up on a goal he has been pursuing for ten years and for which he has invested not only time but also money. The 23-year-old, who admits he must continue to believe there is always a chance, does not intend to continue the adventure in GP2: “Some teams called me this week and I turned down the opportunity. I’ve shown what I needed to show there. As for other categories, I haven’t thought about them yet. When I have a goal, generally, I focus only on that, and the goal is F1. If it doesn’t happen, I will have to reconsider what I want to do with my life, see what my priorities are.”
