F1 Italian Grand Prix 2011: Liuzzi penalised for his first lap antics

After a detailed discussion and investigation, the stewards of the 2011 Italian Grand Prix reprimanded HRT driver Vitantonio Liuzzi ,with a 5-place grid penalty for the next race at Singapore, later this month.

An aerial shot showing Liuzzi sliding through the grass before impact

The 2011 Italian Grand Prix started with a bang as local lad Vitantonio Liuzzi slid backwards towards the other drivers maneuvering the first turn. Liuzzi, who was racing in the 75th race of his formula one career, lost control of the HRT going into Turn One, before sliding on the grass and back on to the track at the chicane. The crash spoilt the party for many including Liuzzi himself. The other drivers affected by the crash included Nico Rosberg and Vitaly Petrov. It was pandemonium all over the chicane as the several other drivers found their way out of the debris.

The Aftermath of the crash

Nico Rosberg, who couldn’t continue the race as a result of the crash, said,

“It was a disappointing race for me today in Monza. I had a difficult start on my prime tyres but still managed to gain a place at the first corner, so it was quite good. Then Liuzzi flew like a torpedo over the grass and put me out of the race. It’s a pity because I had a strong strategy and, as Michael’s good result showed, our car was very strong this afternoon.”

Vitaly Petrov, another driver who was a victim of Liuzzi’s antics,said,

“Naturally I am very disappointed with what happened today. I had a reasonable start and, as I was heading into the first chicane, Vitantonio’s HRT came from nowhere and hit me big time, which brought my race to an end. There’s nothing I could have done to avoid this. First of all, I’m happy not to be injured, as the impact was quite strong and it could have been a nasty accident.”

Rubens Barrichello, who had a narrow escape from being victimised by the crash, said,

“I had a brilliant start, gaining three or four positions as we headed into the first corner, but then I saw an HRT come past. I was lucky he didn’t hit me but I was then in the middle of the action and so had to stop the car. I didn’t hit anyone, but when Rosberg started to move he hit my nose, it was a difficult situation. It’s a shame I got caught in that, as with the pace and the strategy I could have scored some points for the team today.”

Heikki Kovalainen, who was a witness for the incident said,

“I had a great start, passing Jarno and then seeing the HRT coming into T1 in a pretty hardcore style so I avoided that and was then up into a good position early on.”

Vitantonio Liuzzi, the main culprit was quoted saying,

“I was really looking forward to my home race and, although I knew it was going to be tough, it all ended prematurely. I had a good start getting past both Virgins, Lotuses and Daniel but then I went for another overtaking manoeuvre and got closed out. That put me into the grass and once I was there I tried to slow down but completely lost control of the car and unfortunately hit other cars. I am really sorry for Petrov, Rosberg and the other drivers who were forced to retire because of this. Now it’s over but we are fighters and we have to look ahead to the next race.”

It has been a while since an incident of such magnitude has been seen at the first turn of a race. Liuzzi might have lost control of his car in the grass, but he was at fault mainly because of driving his car into the grass. The stewards were right in penalising him for causing an avoidable incident.