Oct.22 (GMM) HRT on Saturday announced that it will be Vitantonio Liuzzi who sits out next weekend's Indian grand prix.

The Spanish team had already said Indian Narain Karthikeyan would return to the grid for his country's inaugural formula one race.

It was believed that Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who earlier this year replaced Karthikeyan due to a deal struck between HRT and Red Bull, would sit out India.

Liuzzi's manager said in September that the Italian has a firm contract for every race in 2011, with Ricciardo conceding that "at least I will be driving in the practice session".

But HRT announced on Saturday: "Daniel Ricciardo will pair with the 34-year-old Indian driver for this single event."

Team boss Colin Kolles explained: "I have asked Tonio Liuzzi to step aside for the Indian GP in order to allow driving programmes with Ricciardo and Karthikeyan to be completed.

"I have to thank Tonio for his professional approach and attitude."

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