Liuzzi preparing for 'awesome' grand prix debut

Vitantonio Liuzzi is expecting an “awesome” weekend when he makes his grand prix debut for Red Bull on home soil at Imola.

Vitantonio Liuzzi is expecting an “awesome” weekend when he makes his grand prix debut on home soil at Imola.

The Italian, who won at Imola on his way to last season’s Formula 3000 crown, steps in to replace Christian Klien this weekend as part of Red Bull’s driver rotation strategy.

Liuzzi cannot wait to race in Formula One for the first time but is not worried about the challenge ahead.

He said: “This weekend will be awesome and I am very excited about driving my first grand prix in Italy.

“It will be unbelievable and it will be good to have the support of the crowd, as my home town is only a couple of hours drive away.

“I feel excited about my grand prix debut but I’m quite relaxed. The fact that I won here in F3000 last year is another reason to be in a positive frame of mind.”

Liuzzi, who has set impressive lap times in testing and on the Friday of the first three grand prix, believes fitness will be particularly important.

He added: “The biggest challenge will be the whole weekend, especially the race itself which is much longer than I was used to in F3000.

“This is Formula One and I am sure my heart will be beating faster than usual on Sunday afternoon.”