Liuzzi seventh at first practice session

Fri, Sep 10 10 10:57 PM

Monza (Italy), Sep 10 (PTI) Force India''s Vitantonio Liuzzi clocked 1:24.512 seconds in his 19 laps to finish seventh at the opening practice session of the Italian Grand Prix here today. Liuzzi evaluated the F-Duct and ran both with and without it during the day as he featured in both the first and second practice sessions today. The Italian driver clocked 1:24.380 seconds in his 36 laps to take the 12th spot in the timesheet of the second practice session. Adrian Sutil, who did not participate in the first session, joined Liuzzi in the second and was 11th after timing 1:24.181 seconds in his 35 laps. Paul di Resta, who replaced Sutil for the first session, completed his first ever lap of Monza, taking the 12th spot after clocking 1:24.923 in his 23 laps. "Overall the afternoon went well for me. We did some general tests with balance and wing levels. The balance was OK, but we still not at the pace that I was hoping for and looking for. But anyway tomorrow should be a good day for us," Sutil said after the session. Liuzzi was also satisfied with the performance. "It was a very good Friday. We did a lot of work, especially in FP1, to understand and take a decision on the F-Duct, to see if it was a benefit or not. In the afternoon we concentrated mainly on tyre work. "Overall I think the car balance is not quite right, we still have to work a bit on braking and handling. But we have got a clear picture for tomorrow, and we''ve tried all the different situations, with and without fuel, with and without the F-Duct," he said. "The others have made a step forward compared to last year, so its not going to be an easy race, but were confident that we can score some good points," he added. Test and reserve driver Paul di Resta said, "Its the first time I have driven here, and Monza is clearly quite a special track. One side of the track is very open, and then you are in the middle of the forest in the other part! Its also different because its all high speed, and all braking. "Its also the first time I have driven the car in low downforce trim. Its a bit of a shock because the braking stability is not there, and braking areas are longer." "I played myself in and I didn''t want to flat spot a tyre or anything, because the circuit was going to improve at the end of the session. I think its quite promising so far. As usual I would love to have gone out in the second session, but at least its another track I have learned!" he added.

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