Dangerous Liaisons of Liuzzi and His Former Employer

The rags continue to burn between Vitantonio Liuzzi and Scuderia Toro Rosso co-owner Gerhard Berger. And for good reason, the Italian holds a certain grudge against the Austrian after a highly tense 2007 season!

Liuzzi was driving for Toro Rosso last year, but he was shocked when he learned that he would no longer be a race driver in 2008. The small Scuderia signed Sebastian Vettel and Sébastien Bourdais as new drivers.

The Italian finally secured a test driver position with Force India but claims he had opportunities in other series to race regularly.

« I had several alternatives: a new NASCAR team contacted me to offer me a racing spot. I could have participated in a series of tests in Champ Car, but I preferred to focus on the Force India program even if it’s as a test driver, » said Liuzzi to Autosprint magazine.

« The reason is simple: it’s because the potential of this team is great, and I fully intend to be back in the race in the medium term. »

« After all, if I found myself without a job at the end of the 2007 season, it’s mainly because of Gerhard Berger who could never support me, just like Adrian Newey who in the past blocked my move as a driver at Red Bull, » he stated.

« F1 is a strange world, where the way you are perceived can change very quickly. When I won the F3000 title, everyone wanted me on their team. Everyone said I was a driver on the rise, but after that, things just got worse. »

« I am sorry for having left Red Bull somewhat hastily, especially with regard to Dietrich Mateschitz who always believed in me. I cannot say the same about the others. »

Despite being satisfied with his current role, Liuzzi admits that he is eager to return to racing and says that he has an offer from Peugeot for the next 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

« Now, it is important for me to provide my technical assistance to Force India, » he said.

« My role is to be a good test driver like De la Rosa at McLaren or Badoer at Ferrari. »

But I cannot hide the fact that I want to get back into racing. I received an offer from Peugeot for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Which interests me a lot because in 2008, I intend to keep a racing spirit.

« I will also be a test driver in 2009. And if I accepted this role, it is mainly because there are real opportunities to become a true racing driver again, » concluded Vitantonio Liuzzi.