Tonio Liuzzi on the spot
Vitantonio (aka Tonio/Vit) Liuzzi is one of the most exciting new prospects in Formula 1. The 24-year-old Italian has an impeccable pedigree as a former world karting champion and, in 2004, a record-breaking F3000 champ.
Liuzzi’s fun-loving insouciance has already brought a breath of fresh air to the sometimes staid F1 paddock and makes him a perfect fit with the equally laid-back Red Bull team. Tonio took time out of his busy debut race weekend at Imola to talk to ITV-F1 pit reporter Louise Goodman about life, the universe and everything…
Louise Goodman: When we spoke at the beginning of the San Marino GP weekend you were saying that a podium would be a nice finish to your race debut. You didn’t quite manage that, but were you happy with the way things went?
Vitantonio Liuzzi: “I was close to the podium – I had Alonso and Michael racing just beside me! Joking apart though, on the whole everything was OK. We didn’t have the pace we would have liked – we had some problems – but now we have to work on that for the next race. We must work hard and try to be quicker in Barcelona, but overall I am quite happy with the way things have gone this weekend. Physically I am OK and the car had quite good balance throughout the whole run, so we just have to improve the speed.”
Did you have fun?
“A lot – it was very nice. I expected maybe at the end it would be really difficult to keep the car on the road because it would be sliding everywhere and there would be traffic, but it was pretty good. Especially when I tried to overtake Mark [Webber]. I tried to make something crazy – a bit too much – and it didn’t work, but in the end I was still on the track!”
And now for the trivia…
Where and when were you born?
“A town called Locorotondo (the only town in Italy with 5 ‘o’s!) on 6 August 1980.”
What was your first road car?
“A Mercedes CLK. I was earning quite good money in karting and I love cars so it was my first present to myself.”
Beer or wine?
“Neither really – I go for Coke normally – but maybe for a special night out with a girl I would go for wine.”
What qualifications did you get at school?
“After high school I studied languages – French, English and German. I’m pretty good in the first two but I’ve lost a lot of my German now because I don’t speak it so much. It’s not the most beautiful language either – it’s a bit rough.”
If you weren’t a racing driver what would you be?
“I was always thinking to be a soccer player or perhaps, because I love dancing, maybe a dancer. Definitely nothing which involved me in study anyway, like a doctor, because I hate studying.”
What was the last CD that you bought?
“Usher.”
Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?
“Angelina Jolie every time.”
What would be your dream holiday destination?
“I always think Bora Bora would be nice. I don’t know why – I’ve never been there – but I’ve heard good stories about this place.”
Who would be your three ideal dinner companions, excluding family and friends?
“Angelina Jolie, Justin Timberlake and Usher.”
What’s your favourite TV snack?
“Pizza. I’d go for a big one too!”
What’s the last book you read?
“I only read racing books so it was probably the Italian magazine, Autosprint. I don’t get time to read – I don’t really like it anyway. I don’t even watch TV because it’s more fun to go out at night.”
Do you have any ambitions outside racing?
“In the future for sure, being a good father.”
If you were a fictional character, who would you be?
“Starsky from Starsky and Hutch. Some of my friends call me Starsky.”
If you could change one thing in F1, what would it be?
“I would like everyone to be relaxed and have more fun. Everyone is too serious. Not too focused
– that’s good – but everyone is too stressed by all the work they have to do so if there was more enjoyment around it would be nicer. I think the fun that Red Bull is bringing into Formula 1 is really good.”