Liuzzi handed grid penalty for Singapore

11/09/2011

Tonio Liuzzi has been handed a five-place grid penalty following the incident at the start of today's Italian Grand Prix.

Having made a strong start which saw him pass a number of cars, in attempting to pass one of the Saubers the HRT driver was forced on to the grass lost control and piled backwards into the pack at first chicane eliminating Rosberg and Petrov on the spot and damaging the cars of Barrichello and Buemi.

Reviewing the incident after the race, and having spoken to all those involved, the stewards, who included former F1 and IndyCar driver Derek Daly, decided to hit Liuzzi with a five-place penalty for the Singapore Grand Prix.

"I was really looking forward to my home race," said the Italian, "and, although I knew it was going to be tough, it all ended prematurely. I had a good start getting past both Virgins, Lotuses and Daniel Ricciardo but then I went for another overtaking manoeuvre and got closed out.

"That put me into the grass," he continued, "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. Now it's over but we are fighters and we have to look ahead to the next race."

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