HRT too slow for Sepang race too?

Vitantonio Liuzzi

Vitantonio Liuzzi is under no illusions that Hispania Racing will be able to qualify for the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix, admitting that being able to make the 107 percent threshold at Sepang will be even more difficult than at Albert Park.

This season sees the rule return to Formula 1 for the first time since 2002, meaning all cars must be within 107 percent of the fastest Q1 time in order to qualify for Sunday’s race. However, Liuzzi is doubting HRT’s Kuala Lumpur capabilities.

“We paid the consequence of being late from the beginning, so now for Malaysia we should be fully ready for our first race of the season," he wrote in a column for ESPN.

“I think things will be different there but, unfortunately, if I was to say at the beginning of the year which track would be worst for the 107 percent rule I would have said Malaysia because of its characteristics. “Even so, I still think we can show improvement compared to Australia and good pace compared to Virgin."