Mar.24 (GMM) 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.

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.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version