Liuzzi to Test for Sauber after Italian GP

F3000 champion Vitantonio Liuzzi will test for the Sauber team next month, the Swiss squad confirmed today in Belgium.

"We plan to test him at Jerez, after the Italian Grand Prix," team principal Peter Sauber told Atlas F1.

Sauber are looking for a replacement for Giancarlo Fisichella, who will drive for Renault next season, to partner Brazilian Felipe Massa. Liuzzi has already driven a Formula One car, having made his debut with the Williams team at the end of 2002.

Italian Liuzzi claimed the International Formula 3000 title on Saturday after second place in the Belgian round of the series was enough to wrap up the championship. Liuzzi, driving for Arden International, finished behind teammate Robert Doornbos at Spa, but title rival Enrico Toccacelo finished 12th to hand his fellow Italian the crown.

Liuzzi can set a new record of victories in an F3000 season if he lands his eighth victory of the year in the final round at Monza in two weeks. He is the last-ever F3000 champion before the series becomes GP2.