Mat Coch writes:

Hispania driver Tonio Liuzzi has already written off the coming season, describing it as a learning year. After a torrid winter during which it failed to run its 2011 car it seems hopes at Hispania Racing are being kept well in check.

"Everything has been done a bit late," Liuzzi confessed in Melbourne, "but I think (the new car) will be a step forward definitely, maybe not huge, but for sure a step forward."

The split from chassis designer Dallara has been well documented, while their failure to secure the 2010 spec Toyota TF110 seems to have caught Hispania off guard. Instead the team was left to develop its new car internally in rapid time, and has suffered as a result. The new car made it to testing as a show car only, a mysterious 'misunderstanding' with Spanish customs preventing it running. This means that when the car rolls out of the garage tomorrow for the first practice session it will be the first time it's turned a wheel.

"We have three hours on Friday to understand the reaction of everything; of ride height, springs, dampers, aero balance, aero mapping, mechanical balance… So it will be a really important day for us," Liuzzi admitted.

Mileage is critical. Its inability to run during pre-season testing has left the team behind the eight-ball compared with even its nearest rivals, so early reliability will be essential if it is to make any progress.

Key components of the car are already known quantities; the team has maintained its relationship with Cosworth and signed a deal with Williams for gearboxes and hydraulics.

"I'm pretty positive about the reliability," said the Italian. "But until you test you don't know. It's like a cake, you don't know if it will come out good or not."

With the reintroduction of the 107% qualifying rule there is genuine concern that the team will be missing from the grid on Sunday should the new car not be as competitive and reliable as hoped. Liuzzi however was confident it would make the grade. "I think if everything goes as we expect in Friday practice, and also Saturday, to understand the car and the car reacts as we expect. I don't worry much about the 107% (rule)."

Teammate Karthikeyan however wasn't so sure. Speaking in the FIA Press Conference on Thursday the Indian said: "Hopefully we finish the race. First qualify and then finish the race."

Interestingly when Liuzzi spoke he felt the need to qualify his statement by adding "especially in Australia," suggesting that while the Albert Park circuit doesn't pose too many concerns a longer circuit, such as Sepang, does.

"Malaysia is big circuit, where you know the car makes a big difference," admitted the Italian. "The lap time difference between cars is much higher. There could be a bit higher of a problem.

"For sure it will be better than last year, but we are already working on a big upgrade."

The first upgrade is scheduled for Barcelona or Monaco, meaning the team looks to be stuck with the current spec car until then, competitive and reliable or not. It's enough to have prompted Liuzzi to effectively write off the season before it's started.

"I think we have to prepare properly for 2012, this will be an understanding year for both of us and a growing year. I'm looking forward to the new upgrade, but already I think we will be in a better shape compared to last year."

Should either car fail to qualify it will be the first time since 2002 that a car has fallen foul of the 107% rule, the last time being Alex Yoong's Minardi in Germany. With the rule now reintroduced after being abolished for 2003 it may well prove how half-baked Hispania's Formula One hopes really are.