Liuzzi nervous under grim Melbourne skies

On the day before the first practice day of 2011, heavy Rain was falling at the Albert Park circuit.

However, weather forecasters believe the skies should clear for the forthcoming three days of track action, and with his fingers and toes crossed is Tonio Liuzzi.

Vitantonio Liuzzi, Hispania Racing Team, HRT

Photo by: xpb.cc

The experienced Italian is scheduled to drive HRT's F111 car, which has never before turned a wheel at a circuit, on Friday.

"Getting some laps in the dry is vital," Liuzzi is quoted by Speed Week. "At the moment we only have a very vague idea about how the car will be."

There are rumours building in the Melbourne paddock that, just as the car was not ready to run throughout the winter, it still will not be in working order for Friday's 12.30 practice.

Team boss Colin Kolles denied the rumours about engineers quitting due to not being paid.

"All the salaries of all the team members are paid," he is quoted by Spain's AS daily. "And it's not true that we are in debt to suppliers."

Former grand prix driver Alex Wurz admitted he is pessimistic about HRT's prospects.

"HRT is beyond good or bad; they are fighting for survival and for every euro," he told laola1.at.