LONDON // Vitantonio Liuzzi has replaced Giancarlo Fisichella at Force India for the rest of the Formula One season after the latter joined Ferrari for the last five races. The 28-year-old Italian has been promoted from his role as test and reserve driver ahead of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Liuzzi, who last drove in Formula One at the end of the 2007 season with Toro Rosso, has been given his chance because of the chain reaction sparked by Ferrari driver Felipe Massa's accident in July in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
"I can't wait to get back into the car in race trim, particularly at my home grand prix in Monza," Liuzzi said today. "Force India has a great car that's performing very well. I am confident I can carry on our progress. I'm very motivated, in good shape and hungry to get some more points on the board." Liuzzi competed in 39 grand prix races over three seasons from 2005 to 2007 for Red Bull and Toro Rosso.
"Although it's unfortunate this came about as a direct result of Felipe's accident, this is my opportunity to show people what I can do, and I'm really looking forward to it," he said. *AP
