Team Hiflex will carry the national colours of its two drivers at this weekend’s Armor All Gold Coast 600.
The #3 Ford Falcon, to be driven by Tony D’Alberto and former Formula 1 driver Vitantonio Liuzzi, will carry a new look bonnet, roof and boot, featuring Italy’s national flag.
Liuzzi returns to the famous Gold Coast race with D’Alberto after the pair teamed up last year.
The former Red Bull Racing F1 driver has enjoyed a successful debut season in the International Superstars Series, currently placed first with three rounds remaining.
He says that with a maiden season of experience in a touring car under his belt, he will be in a more competitive position in a V8 Supercar this year.
“Obviously I’ll be better prepared than last year. It took time for me to learn how the weight of a Touring Car needs to be moved, in terms of braking and approaching a corner,” Liuzzi said.
“When I went to Australia last year, I just drove in an aggressive way as if it was a single-seater. But in a Touring Car, you need to prepare more for the corner. You need to make adjustments and feel for the transition of the weight, to make sure the tyres has as much grip as possible.
“Last year wasn’t too bad, but I’m confident that this year I will come more prepared, and ready to do a better job.”
It is the second year that the team has campaigned a special ‘Italian’ to the car, but this time, the team has gone the extra step.
“We did the bonnet last year, but we wanted to do a little bit more this year,” D’Alberto told Speedcafe.com.
“Dad (team owner Al D’Alberto) absolutely loves it. I think he wants to keep it on for the rest of the year!
“The Armor All Gold Coast 600 is an international event, and we are really embracing that theme. Both myself and Antonio are very proud of our heritage, and we hope to see a few Italian flags waving in the crowd.”
Liuzzi will get a taste of #3 Hiflex Ford at Queensland Raceway on Wednesday during the international co-driver test.
The Armor All Gold Coast 600 kicks off this Friday.
