Liuzzi expecting first corner incidents

Vitantonio Liuzzi will be applying particular vigilance when approaching the first corners of Grands Prix this year as the field will arrive with the heaviest fuel tanks seen since in Formula 1 since 1993. For 2010, mid-race refuelling will be banned and will have more effects than just those on overall car weight.

With pit-stops permitting only tyre changes, unless a driver switches his engine off for refuelling and therefore causes a significant delay, a learning process will develop this season as teams and drivers learn about the high fuel loads’ effects on tyre wear as well as braking distances.

Having skipped the first pre-season test in Valencia before being heavily affected by the unusually wet Jerez, Liuzzi is pleased with Force India’s work from the Circuit de Catalunya.

“Actually, at the previous test – because of the rain and the different track conditions – we never tested a race simulation,” the Italian explained to GPUpdate.net.

“Barcelona was the first one. That’s why we feel really positive because the first one went pretty well and you always improve every time you do another one, so I think we are in good shape for Bahrain.”

Tonio is also sure that fans can expect fireworks in the first seconds of races this year. “It’s not easy, having 160 kilos in the car at the start of a race,” he continued. “We’ve never had that in previous years so it won’t be easy, especially the first corner; with cold brakes and much heavier cars, I think we’ll have a good show with a lot of excitement…accidents as well!”

Source: GPUpdate.net