Liuzzi vindicated by Korean GP drive

The Italian has had a frustrating season with Force India - with various troubles in qualifying and the races leaving his future at the team in doubt.

However, despite further dramas in qualifying in Korea leaving him down in 17th on the grid, Liuzzi put in his drive of the season in the race to climb up to sixth place at the finish.

Speaking to AUTOSPORT afterwards, Liuzzi said that the performance had been a big confidence boost - and would help silence his critics.

"I have never had a problem with speed, it has just been a problem of things going wrong for us," he said. "Today we did everything at the right moment. We were fast in these conditions.

"We are great fighters and we showed that we can be there and fight for a great result. It was a confirmation of the belief that I just needed my luck to change.

"For me, the importance was to confirm my belief that I am not dreaming when I say that I just needed the right circumstances. We didn't have luck recently, and everything was going wrong in the last events, even though speed was there.

"But when things are right and the car is okay, we are ready for good points and great races."

Liuzzi said he loved the tricky conditions that presented themselves in Korea, with drivers facing torrential rain and poor visibility.

"It was very difficult," he said. "It was quite tough because the conditions were critical, and I think the FIA did decide well to stop at the beginning and then start with the safety car as the rain was massive.

"The track was very slippery, the grip was very low and we did not have a lot of brake grip and traction. I like these conditions, when everyone is on the edge, because you don't have to make mistakes and you have to push hard. It is a good combination I think and it has been a great race."