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Vitantonio Liuzzi Signs Deal with A1 Team Italy

Force India's reserve and test driver for 2009, Vitantonio Liuzzi, has signed a deal to represent his country in the A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport in the following 2 rounds of the 2008/09 season. The former F1 driver will debut for A1 Team Italy from as early as the Portugal event, scheduled during the Easter weekend.

Liuzzi has raced for Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso from 2005 to 2007, but lost his STR seat to 4-time Champ Car winner Sebastien Bourdais the following year. He then signed a testing deal with Force India F1, which he extended for the 2009 season. However, with the in-season testing ban imposed by the FIA for the new season, Liuzzi had little chance of getting into a cockpit this year.

“I’m really looking forward to trying the A1GP car and to get back to racing, which is the thing I like to do most. I am pleased that Vijay Mallya and Force India agreed to release me for these races so I can feel the adrenalin of a race atmosphere again,” said Liuzzi, according to the A1 GP official site.

Liuzzi's presence in the A1 Team Italy cockpit is yet unknown for the season finale in Mexico, but the team expressed hopes that they can retain the Italian star until the very last chequered flag of the season. The A1 GP are also looking for a longer participation of Liuzzi in the series, as his reputation will certainly help promote the image of the championship.

“This is amazing news for the series. Obviously his reputation goes before him and I am delighted that a driver of this calibre is happy to sit in an A1GP car for the pride of his nation,” said A1 GP CEO Pete da Silva.
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