• Spanish Grand Prix

Liuzzi: HRT could impress in Barcelona

"If we keep progressing and working as the team has until now then I'm sure we'll have a bright future" © Sutton Images

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• Race:
• Spanish Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Tonio Liuzzi

• Teams:
• HRT

Tonio Liuzzi says that HRT could impress a few people if it can get the most out of its upgrades at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Having done no running in pre-season testing with its 2011 car, HRT has been playing catch-up since the first race of the season when it failed to qualify in Melbourne. From that point onwards though, the team has been close to Virgin at the back of the grid and is no longer under threat from the 107% time. Liuzzi said that the race in Barcelona was going to be a sign of a true pecking order.

"The Spanish Grand Prix is the best opportunity to show the world and the fans that Hispania Racing is putting a lot of effort into the team, now and for the future, and is on the right path for success," Liuzzi said. "Barcelona is also an important race because we're at a stage in the Championship where you start to see the real pace of all the teams as pretty much everyone has some upgrades and you can judge better everyone's pace".

Liuzzi also said that the team was always starting on the back foot due to its lack of pre-season running, but that if HRT can deliver all of its planned upgrades it could surprise a few people.

"Unfortunately, we weren't able to test as much as we wanted here in winter that's why every race is a great test for us. We have to focus on all parts of the car as if it were a test because of the time lost in Winter. If we're able to get all the updates we were planning then I think we'll make a big step forward and might even impress quite a few people. Everything is going in the right direction, if we keep progressing and working as the team has until now then I'm sure we'll have a bright future".

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.