Exclusive Interview: Vitantonio Liuzzi
Just before the 2011 Turkish Grand Prix, we were lucky enough to speak with Hispania Racing F1 Team driver Vitantonio Liuzzi about racing with the Hispania team, DRS & Turkey’s now famous ‘Turn 8′. Enjoy!
Q. Tonio, season 2011 started off with disappointment for the team in not qualifying in Australia, but there has been steady improvement since then. How have you seen the progress made?
A. “The progress has been positive. Everyone in the team has put in a lot of hard work as you can see from our results in qualifying in Istanbul. We have set the right base for the future. It’s been constant day to day work since we ran our first lap in qualifying in Australia.”
Q. With the break we have just had after China, has there been much work go into developing the car for the rest of 2011?
A. “Of course, we have been working on a development programme. In Turkey we have come with a small upgrade but for Barcelona and Monaco we’re pushing to have a better update, more pace and hopefully try and compete at a higher level.”
Q. What are your hopes for the rest of 2011?
A. “To keep on growing and show the world that Hispania Racing can develop and grow like other teams. Our aim is to try and beat Virgin and Lotus, our two closest competitors.”
Q. The next race is in Istanbul, and turn eight is fast becoming famous. Can you take us through what it’s like to hit a corner with three apex’s at about 270 kph?
A. “It’s pure adrenaline, there a lot of apexes and you have to get it right from the beginning as you basically fly into the corner. I love the adrenaline you feel once you come out of it and appreciate what you’ve just done.”
Q. There’s been a lot of talk of racing the Monaco Grand Prix without DRS, what are your thoughts on this?
A. “I think it’s a good choice. It can be very dangerous under the tunnel with higher speed differences between cars. A crash in that tunnel is very dangerous.”
Q. At the end of 2010 you had the upheaval of leaving Force India, being thought of as a replacement for Robert Kubica at Renault and then ultimately securing a drive with Hispania Racing, how do you maintain concentration & motivation?
A. “Just by trusting and believing in myself, I’m sure of what I can do. I’m always motivated because I love racing and showing people what I’m capable of. I think I’m a hard rival for the rest of the field, I truly believe my chance hasn’t come yet and I want to catch it.”
Q. As someone who broke into Formula 1, then had a short stint out of it in 08/09, what does it mean to you now to race with a team like Hispania?
A. “A new adventure. I started in 2005 with Red Bull then I raced for Toro Rosso and Force India, all of these were new teams when I went there. Maybe with Hispania Racing we’re starting a few steps behind these teams I mentioned because Hispania entered at a time when Formula 1 was, and still is, going through a tough economic situation. We’re playing catch up with teams that have a huge amount of experience in the sport.”
Q. And finally…If you could race any car, on any track in the world, what would it be? And why?
A. “I would race at Spa with a Williams from the 80’s. I love old school racing with powerful cars that have a lot of grip but not much downforce. The competition in the 80’s was much more fierce, there was more talent and just all around better racing.”