Liuzzi: We knew we’d have a strong race pace

Tonio Liuzzi hasn’t had much good fortune lately, and unfortunately for the Force India driver Singapore turned into another race spoiled by contact. In this case he got caught up with Nick Heidfeld on the first lap, and while he initially appeared to have escaped, the Italian suffered a suspension failure a lap later. The team knew that Singapore was not going to be its most competitive venue of the year, but an issue in qualifying prevented Tonio from fulfilling the potential of the car.

“The speed was pretty good,” says Tonio. “But we had a problem with the brakes in qualifying. We did a similar lap time to Adrian, but we should have been faster. We changed everything for the race. It was a shame, because we knew we’d have a strong race pace, but unfortunately we couldn’t see it.”

He started 16th. Around the first and second corners Tonio was passed by Nico Hulkenberg – a move that ultimately earned the German a penalty – but he still made progress, and found himself disputing territory with team mate Adrian Sutil and Sauber returnee Nick Heidfeld.

“We had a good start, and at the first corner I think I gained one position. With the hard tyres we knew it was not going to be great at the start, but it was OK. At Turn Seven I was trying to overtake Heidfeld, and Adrian went on the outside. They were both struggling on the outside in the dusty area. I took the normal road and I was side-by-side with them on the exit, but then I think Heidfeld squeezed me towards the wall.

“I didn’t touch the wall, but he touched me, and I think that damaged my rear suspension a little bit. Then when he went out of the corner he didn’t go on the throttle, so I touched him with the front wing. I damaged it, but that wasn’t a big problem as I could still push. But on the lap after the rear suspension broke.”

Tonio had no choice but to park the car, triggering the safety car period that brought half the field into the pits, including Adrian.

Next stop is Suzuka, a track that Tonio enjoys and where the car was competitive last year.

“Last year we were fast, and we know that we can be competitive again. We are expecting another little upgrade for there. For sure we need to push hard if we want to finish sixth in the World Championship.

“I really love Suzuka, it’s a beautiful circuit, one of the old school ones. And I always like going to Japan, I enjoy the culture. The atmosphere is good, the fans are wonderful, and it’s a great event. Although the weather is sometimes a bit tricky, just like Spa!”