ESPNF1 Staff
August 12, 2011
Tonio Liuzzi: "Obviously we are not expecting to win races but to be where we are already is proof of the strength of the project" © Sutton Images
Tonio Liuzzi believes HRT has plenty of unlocked potential and is still hoping to finish ahead of Lotus in the constructors' championship.
HRT's 2011 season got off to a shaky start when its new car completed no pre-season testing and failed to qualify for the first race in Australia. But Liuzzi believes the team has come a long way over the past 11 races.
"A lot of people didn't believe we would come through at the beginning of the year but I have always been really positive," he said. "As I have said on many occasions, there are good people involved in this project and the potential is there. If we work in the right direction, I'm sure we can achieve good things.
"I never doubted that there was potential for improvement, obviously we are not expecting to win races but to be where we are already is proof of the strength of the project. If you believe in yourself and in the project then you can achieve anything."
Liuzzi best finish this season was 13th at the Canadian Grand Prix, which put HRT ahead of Virgin but behind Lotus. However, Liuzzi says the team is still looking to go one better and finish in the lucrative tenth position in the constructors' championship.
"I already consider it a successful season but if we could achieve our biggest target of finishing 10th in the constructors' championship, then that would be perfect," he added. "But we have to be realistic and continue pushing to show that we are competitive. We have to improve our pace compared to the leaders from now until the end of the season."
HRT was planning to put its car in Mercedes' windtunnel last month in order to better understand its performance, but a change in ownership delayed the session as well as a number of new parts coming to the car. Liuzzi admitted that the Thesan Capital buyout had caused some delays, but believes it will be better for the team in the long run.
"The development slowed down a little with the changes in ownership but now we are a consistent structure and we are looking strong for the future," he said.
Credit: ESPN F1 (en.espnf1.com)
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