GreenBkk Formula 1 | Liuzzi feels his position is safe

Liuzzi feels his position is safe

Tonio Liuzzi insists his position at Force India is safe © Sutton Images

Tonio Liuzzi is still confident that his position at Force India is "safe" for 2011, despite the team faltering on making an official announcement.

The Italian has a contract for next year, but reserve driver Paul di Resta and ex-Williams driver Nico Hulkenberg have been linked to his seat in recent weeks. However, Liuzzi, who was partnered by Adrian Sutil last season, said it would not necessarily be him making way for a new driver at the team.

"Every time a driver is mentioned who Force India might be interested in, it always seems that I am the one who will have to make the space," he told Autosprint. "But this is only what some media say, because from my side I am very calm.

"On the team's side, no one has said anything to me about it. I have a contract for next season and I am already working from that perspective. I feel safe, not only because of the contract in my hand but also because of my good relations with the team.

"The team has told me they cannot stop the media, and already at a press conference at Suzuka they denied the rumours."

Ahead of the Japanese grand prix in October, deputy team principal Robert Fernley answered "yes" as to whether both Sutil and Liuzzi are staying in 2011. But subsequently, team owner and boss Vijay Mallya said Force India has "open spaces" for 2011. The FIA's 2011 entry list appeared to confirm Mallya's statement, with "To Be Announced" next to both Force India driver positions.

Liuzzi responded: "The fact that my name is not on the list has nothing to do with it as there are also other drivers [not on the list] who have already signed. Between myself and Force India, the situation is more than clear.

"I have heard many things but then you realise they have come from nowhere. If you remember, according to some journalists di Resta was already sitting in my car in the middle of last season, but then I finished normally. So I have decided to pay no attention to anything except for what I am told directly by the team."

Credit: ESPN F1 (espn.com)