A1GP news

Liuzzi joins A1 Team Italy

A1 Team Italy has revealed a surprise by announcing Formula One test test driver Vitantonio Liuzzi as their driver, starting with this weekend's Grand Prix of Portugal. Liuzzi, a past GP2 star before moving to F1 with Red Bull during the 2005 season, is currently test driver for the Force India team.

Present in Sepang as reserve driver for Force India at the Malaysian Grand Prix last weekend, Liuzzi flew back from Asia to make best use of the Italian team's A1GP simulator in Modena, however he will not receive his first real taste of the action until practice in Portugal on Friday, taking to the new-for-2009 Algarve facility for the first time at 2pm local time (GMT).

"I'm really looking forward to trying the Ferrari-powered A1GP car and to get back to racing, which is the thing I like to do most," Tonio explained. He continued to express his gratitude to Force India F1 and team owner Vijay Mallya, who granted the Italian permission to take part in this weekend's event and "feel the adrenalin of a race atmosphere again", in the words of his driver. Having not raced in F1 since with the Toro Rosso team in 2006, A1 Team Italy also hopes that he will be able to take part in the season-ending meeting at Brands Hatch, with the possibility of next season also on the cards.

"This is amazing news for the series," said A1GP CEO Pete da Silva. "Obviously, his reputation goes before him and I am delighted that a driver of this calibre is happy to sit in an A1GP car for the pride of his nation."

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