NOVEMBER 18, 2004

Tonio gets a Red Bull test

Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Formula 3000 champion Vitantonio Liuzzi will be one of the drivers at the forthcoming Barcelona test on November 24-26.

Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Formula 3000 champion Vitantonio Liuzzi will be one of the drivers at the forthcoming Barcelona test on November 24-26.

"It's great to be testing Liuzzi," says team principal Tony Purnell. "I have known him since his early karting days and I believe he is full of potential for the future."

When he tested a Sauber recently at Jerez Liuzzi showed that he has huge potential for F1 but with the Swiss team having filled its two seats before the test there was no space for him left. Williams tested Liuzzi a couple of years ago but failed to see his potential, something which appears to have dawned on the Grove team, which is now keen to give him a run. Ferrari too has been sniffing around Liuzzi but for the moment there is no sign of a deal being on offer. The Italian youngster wants to go racing in 2005 and so is not thought to be looking at testing roles until it is clear that there is no chance of a race drive.

Liuzzi will join Jaguar Racing regulars Christian Klien and Bjorn Wirdheim in the test. The Swede would love to stay in F1 next year but seems to be looking at America as an alternative, having recently tested for Kevin Kalkhoven's PKV Racing Champ Car team at the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.