‘Calm’ Liuzzi expects to keep Force India seat

Vitantonio Liuzzi has declared once again that he has an ongoing contract and therefore expects to stay at Force India in 2011.

Although next year’s FIA entry list currently lists no drivers as confirmed for the Silverstone based team, it is widely believed that Adrian Sutil is staying put.

Speculation also suggests that Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg are the candidates to race alongside German Sutil next season.

Italian Liuzzi confirms: “Every time a driver is mentioned who Force India might be interested in, it always seems that I am the one who will have to make the space.

“But this is only what some media say, because from my side I am very calm,” the 29-year-old said in an interview published on Italian magazine Autosprint’s website.

“On the team’s side, no one has said anything to me about it.  I have a contract for next season and I am already working from that perspective,” added Liuzzi.

“I feel safe, not only because of the contract in my hand but also because of my good relations with the team,” he continued.

“The team has told me they cannot stop the media (speculation), and already at a press conference at Suzuka they denied the rumours,” said Liuzzi.

Indeed, ahead of the Japanese grand prix in October, deputy team principal Robert Fernley answered “yes” as to whether both Sutil and Liuzzi are staying in 2011.

But subsequently, team owner and boss Vijay Mallya said Force India has “open spaces” for 2011.

The 2011 entry list appeared to confirm Mallya’s statement.

Liuzzi responded: “The fact that my name is not on the list has nothing to do with it as there are also other drivers (not on the list) who have already signed.

“Between myself and Force India, the situation is more than clear,” he insisted.

“I have heard many things but then you realise they have come from nowhere.  If you remember, according to some journalists di Resta was already sitting in my car in the middle of last season, but then I finished normally.

“So I have decided to pay no attention to anything except for what I am told directly by the team,” added Liuzzi.

 © RIF | GMM