Tonio Liuzzi ousted at Force India?

UPDATE (GMM) Vitantonio Liuzzi has denied he is discussing a financial settlement amid rumors Force India wants to replace him for the 2011 season.

Media reports this week said the Silverstone based team wants Paul di Resta to race alongside Adrian Sutil this season, despite Italian Liuzzi having an ongoing contract.

"My situation is clear," the 29-year-old told Italian website 422race.com.

"Force India hasn't informed me about any change and for me only the words of the team count."

Liuzzi denied that settlements, including monetary payments or even a seat with Mercedes in the DTM championship, are being discussed.

"I wasn't offered anything, as I said I haven't spoken to Force India about anything like that," he insisted.

He said his 2011 contract makes him confident, but refused to rule out a scenario where Force India might want to oust him.

"By now, nothing can surprise me any more in formula one," said the veteran of more than 60 grands prix, also with Red Bull and Toro Rosso.

"But so far I wasn't offered anything — neither money nor a seat in DTM, as I read elsewhere. They didn't tell me such things, for sure," insisted Liuzzi.

"I'm pretty calm, because I have a very clear deal with the team for the 2011 season and if they should decide to take other routes, they know what they are facing," he said.

01/03/11 Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil will race for Force India in 2011 with Nico Hulkenberg moving into the third cockpit role, according to Blick. The Swiss newspaper added the news would be confirmed in the next few days.

If accurate, it means Tonio Liuzzi has been dropped despite having a contract with Force India for another season.

Blick said Hulkenberg, the impressive German rookie who was replaced at Williams by Pastor Maldonado, will drive during the Friday morning sessions at grands prix.

"I actually wanted Nico to be the third driver at McLaren," revealed Hulkenberg's famous manager Willi Weber. "But Martin Whitmarsh was worried that it would be seen as a threat to Button so he didn't want to disrupt the harmony in the team for their championship hunt."