Liuzzi fills Fisichella void in Force India

Silverstone (UK), Sep 7 (PTI) Force India Monday promoted
its test driver Vitantonio Liuzzi to the race seat, thus
filling the void created by another Italian Giancarlo
Fisichella's switch to Ferrari.

After nearly two years of test driving, Liuzzi was Monday
named the second race driver and the Italian will assume
driving duties of car number 21 from next weekend's Italian
Grand Prix.

"I'm delighted to give Tonio the opportunity to get back
into a race seat, which I know he has been itching to do for
the past two years," Force India chairman Vijay Mallya said.

"Force India is now in a very competitive position and we
need a driver who can continue this momentum. This will be the
chance for Tonio to demonstrate to both the team and the field
that he has the commitment, speed and professionalism to
perform and I am sure he will seize this opportunity," said
Mallya, also the team principal.

The 28-year-old Liuzzi, a former Red Bull and Toro Rosso
driver, has fulfilled Force India's crucial test, reserve
driver and development roles from the start of the 2008
season.

Itching to be back racing again, Liuzzi said he was
looking to get more points after Fisichella, in his last race
for Force India in Belgium, had broken the duck. More PTI