Vitantonio Liuzzi hopes to sign new HRT contract in 'next few weeks'
Vitantonio Liuzzi has set his sights on securing a fresh contract with HRT for 2012 in the next few weeks, with the Italian determined to see the fruits of his efforts at the team
Liuzzi joined the Spanish-owned outfit at the start of this season, after being dropped by Force India, and believes that the groundwork has been put in place for a good step forward heading into next year.
When asked by AUTOSPORT about his status for 2012, he said: "We had some talk in the last few weeks, but everybody was on holiday.
"For sure from now on we will start talking, but I have to say that with the team we have a good relationship and we don't face any big issue. We have to think about the future and think positive on both sides."
Liuzzi believes that the efforts made by technical chief Geoff Willis should put the outfit in good stead for the future - which is why he is determined to stay.
"I said since the beginning that this was an adventure," he explained. "I took it and was really motivated, as there were good points to improve and good people to work with.
"I would be happy [to stay] because I want to see the development of next year. Colin Kolles and Geoff Willis and a lot of people work really hard for this team and we show we can make big progress. I am looking forward. I think a good job could be made so I am happy to stay."
Although optimistic about the progress that can be made for next year, Liuzzi thinks the outfit cannot afford to ease off this year - as he thinks it still has a chance of snatching 10th place in the constructors' championship from Team Lotus.
"For sure we need to keep fighting to develop the car," he said ahead of the Belgian GP. "We had time where we didn't develop as much as we wanted in the period where we had the change of owners, and I think we had a bit of a handbrake on in the period because there were some changes in the top management.
"We have a few little upgrades for here, but for Monza on we should get some more, and we need to push because we need to achieve the target we were focusing on in the beginning of the championship.
"For sure maybe beating Lotus is not easy, but we should try and show that we can close the gap and that we are still motivated to push until the end of the season. Then we have to work on the 2012 car because it is an important season for us."
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