Liuzzi aims to make the most of his 'new start'

Force India driver Tonio Liuzzi believes the 2010 season is a "new start" for him after underachieving during his first stint in Formula One.

The Italian first entered Formula One with Red Bull in 2005 but failed to showcase the undoubted potential he had demonstrated on his way to winning the Formula 3000 championship in 2004.

Liuzzi also failed to impress during two seasons with the Toro Rosso team, Red Bull's sister outfit, but appeared to find his feet when he replaced Ferrari-bound Giancarlo Fisichella in Vijay Mallya's team for the final five races of the 2009 season.

"This year is a new start for me. I'm a different person from two years ago and I am approaching it from a different mentality," he said.

"It's a different Tonio and I'm looking forward to what can come. I'm still young and have a lot of time in front of me so I just want to prove what I can do."

Liuzzi also feels the family atmosphere at Force India can help him show his full potential.

He said: "In Force India I feel really good, the atmosphere is great and the team works well together. Even when I was in a difficult position last year as a test driver they were very supportive and I've built a good strong relationship with them.

"I feel like I'm in a family and a much better environment than I have been in the past."

The 28-year-old has high hopes the VJM03, which was unveiled yesterday, will help the team become regular pointscorers following some excellent performances during 2009, including Fisichella's pole position and second place at the Belgian Grand Prix.

He said: "I have to say that the team, looking at what we did last year, has done a fantastic job. They never stopped working on the 2009 car to push right to the end, but have been flat out for 2010 as well.

"I am really confident in the work they have done over the winter and we've built a car that can regularly be in the points. That's also my aim, plus to be more consistent and competitive throughout the whole season."

Liuzzi, whose best finish in Formula One was a sixth-placed finish for Toro Rosso at the 2007 Chinese Grand Prix, also feels the introduction of four new teams to the sport is a big boost to a team that have tended to occupy the rear rows of the grid since their inception in 2008.

"This is an advantage for us as we know how to operate on smaller levels that the bigger teams will have to get used to, while the new teams have a tough job to do," said Liuzzi.

"I think it will be a good season for us."

Liuzzi aims to make the most of his 'new start' - Planet-F1 News from planet-f1.com