Liuzzi praises 'amazing' HRT showing

Liuzzi completed just an installation lap on Friday and failed to get any running in final practice ahead of qualifying.

Both him and team-mate Narain Karthikeyan failed to qualify due to the 107 per cent rule and will not be allowed to take part in the race tomorrow.

But Liuzzi reckons the team has done a great job, and is sure it will have no problems to qualify once it manages to complete some proper running.

"I think we have to be proud of the job done," Liuzzi told AUTOSPORT: "It's not what we wanted, but I think we have to take into consideration the fact that the first time we did a timed lap was in qualifying.

"And I think we did an amazing job because I don't think the teams competing with us, after seven laps, did this time on Friday. I think it was an amazing achievement.

"I was surprised because the car is nowhere near optimum. It takes time, but I think we can be proud of the job done. We finished in 23rd and 24th, but we are sure that with more laps and more time we will be really close to our competitors and we won't face an issue with the 107 per cent.

The Italian driver, who missed the cut to qualify for the race by 1.7 seconds, reckons it will be easy to find big chunks of time once he completes more laps.

And Liuzzi said he is also upbeat about the development rate of the team, saying Hispania will surprise people with its performance.

"We know where we need to improve. We know where we can improve quickly. We had problems to fit things that should have been in the car. Also we will have more laps, more confidence from me.

"I think there is a lot come, that is why I'm positive and why I got involved in this challenge. Even though people may see everything black now I'm not in their side. I'm positive because I see people that want to improve, want to work hard. And also because of the way of the development.

"There is a structure for the future and it will just take time. We started some three months later than anybody and now we are paying the consequences. I believe in this project, and I'm sure we will surprise people."