Liuzzi aims to return to racing soon

Liuzzi was one of several drivers in the running for the second seat at Force India, but in the end the Silverstone-based squad chose the more experienced Fisichella to partner Adrian Sutil this year.

Liuzzi, who raced for Toro Rosso last season, will be the team's third driver, but the Italian reckons he could be back in a racing seat in the near future.

The 27-year-old says he has signed a long-term deal with Force India, and he aims to benefit from his work as a test driver in the upcoming years.

"For sure I understand the decision of the team," Liuzzi told reporters at Jerez. "Giancarlo is a very experienced driver and I'm a younger driver.

"We linked each other for the long term, so I'm really happy about my position. I cannot hide that I would have preferred to race but I understand the decision of the team.

"But sure this year I have to try to give the maximum support to the team to improve a lot because I'm hoping I can be back in the (racing) seat soon and I hope I can profit from this improvement.

"I feel I still I'm a race driver, and I want to give the maximum to the team. It will not be easy to watch races on TV but already we have a busy schedule of testing. I will be a really active part of the team and that will make my year."

Liuzzi said Force India had no plans yet to use him as a Friday driver this year.

"At the moment we haven't planned anything about this. We are just thinking about the new car, working until February the maximum we can and then we will see."