• Italian Grand Prix

Liuzzi given grid penalty

ESPNF1 Staff
September 11, 2011 « Massa disappointed with sixth | »
The first corner incident brought out the safety car © Getty Images
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Tonio Liuzzi has been given a five-place grid penalty for the Singapore Grand Prix following has turn one crash at Monza.

Liuzzi was attempting to pass a Sauber at the start of the Italian Grand Prix when he was forced on the grass and in trying to avoid a collision he lost control, sliding sideways along the grass towards the inside of turn one. With little braking opportunity Liuzzi ploughed in to the side of Vitaly Petrov in the middle of the first chicane, also taking out Nico Rosberg in the process.

Stewards announced that they would review the incident after the race, and having ruled that Liuzzi caused the collision decided to penalise him with a five-place grid penalty in Singapore.

After the race, Liuzzi explained the incident and apologised for ruining Petrov and Rosberg's races.

"I had a good start getting past both Virgins, Lotuses and Daniel but then I went for another overtaking manoeuvre and got closed out. That put me into the grass and once I was there I tried to slow down but completely lost control of the car and unfortunately hit other cars. I am really sorry for Petrov, Rosberg and the other drivers who were forced to retire because of this."

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