Formula 1 helmet design Brazil
W he so many Formula 1 drivers Vitantonio Liuzzi started his career in karting. The talent from Apulia drove his first races in 1991 at the age of nine. By winning the Italian championship in 1993, Liuzzi first drew attention to himself. In a race in 2001 Liuzzi was even able to beat Michael Schumacher on his home track in Kerpen.
Rapid rise of Vitantonio Liuzzi
It quickly became clear that Vitantonio Liuzzi was born for bigger things. It went through the lower formula classes at a rapid pace, from Formula Renault to Formula 3 to Formula 3000. In 2003 the fast Italian was signed by Red Bull. After the Formula 3000 title in the 2004 season, there was no avoiding entry into Formula 1.
However, Liuzzi did not immediately receive a contract for the entire season. In 2005 he initially had to share the cockpit with Christian Klien. Klien drove the first three races, then Vitantonio Liuzzi celebrated his Grand Prix debut in Imola. In the first race, eighth place earned the first championship point. After that, however, things didn't go according to plan. Only three races later, Klien was back in the car and drove the season to the end.
Together with Vettel at Toro Rosso
2006 he switched to sister team Toro Rosso. With the B-Team Liuzzi could complete the whole season. However, the car was rarely competitive and so in the end only a meager World Championship point in Indianapolis jumped out. In 2007 it didn't get much better either and constant speculation about being kicked out accompanied the Italian through the season. It wasn't until Sebastien Bourdais was announced as a 2008 replacement that Liuzzi's performance appeared to be improving. In the penultimate race of the season in Shanghai, Tonio Liuzzi achieved his best result so far with sixth place.
For 2008 and 2009, Liuzzi received a contract with Force India as a test and replacement driver. At the same time, the Italian drove in the Speedcar series and in the A1GP series. Only when Giancarlo Fisichella switched to Ferrari five races before the end of the 2009 season to replace the injured Felipe Massa did Liuzzi get the chance to drive Formula 1 again.
Sacked from Force India
The 2010 season should be the great opportunity for Vitantonio Liuzzi. But he didn't use it. While team-mate Adrian Sutil regularly scored points and fought for a top ten place in the overall standings, the Italian mostly remained pale. The receipt followed during the winter break: Despite his current contract, Liuzzi was exchanged for Paul di Resta. Alternativesdid not stay fell. As the last pilot, the former super talent was signed by the backbencher HRT. Big leaps are therefore no longer expected in the future.
Status: 03/2011
