Liuzzi seals title at Spa
Vitantonio Liuzzi won the Formula 3000 International title at Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday when he finished second behind Arden team-mate Robert Doornbos
The race was started from behind the safety car due to the wet conditions, and Liuzzi duly led away from his pole position. But local hero Doornbos always looked faster and got ahead of the series leader on the second lap.
Doornbos pulled away as Liuzzi struggled slightly with the handling of his car. He even dropped behind category veteran Tomas Enge before the mandatory pitstops, but regained second position and held that until the end.
"In the middle of the race other cars were catching me but I stayed calm - I had to think about the championship," said Liuzzi. "I did not believe it until I crossed the finish line."
Jose Maria Lopez got ahead of Enge late on for the final spot on the podium. Hungary winner Patrick Friesacher finished fifth, ahead of Tony Schmidt. The only man who could deny Liuzzi, fellow Italian Enrico Toccacelo, suffered a dismal race and trailed in 11th.
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