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Liuzzi unlikely to keep HRT seat

Jerome d'Ambrosio, Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna are all in the running to complete HRT's driver complement for 2012, according to the Belgian newspaper La Libre.

According to the struggling Spanish team's technical boss, Jacky Eeckelaert, ousted Virgin/Marussia driver d'Ambrosio is towards the top of the list.

RUBENS SCRATCHED

"I don't think it's in the interests of the team to have a second Spanish driver," he said, ruling out Jaime Alguersuari and Dani Clos as Pedro de la Rosa's team mate. "The same goes for drivers approaching retirement."

Thus scratching Rubens Barrichello.

Vitantonio Liuzzi has a contract for 2012 is but Eeckelaert also spoke against the Italian. "He hasn't really confirmed himself after several chances. We're looking more for a young driver with a lot of potential."

HRT, formerly Hispania, has had a troubled development history; with the 2012 season to hand is still trying to find its feet with new management and ownership.

OWN CHASSIS

"We hope to continue our battle at the back of the pack with Virgin (Marussia)," Eeckelaert said. "It is difficult to aim higher. The Dallara chassis we used in our first two seasons was clearly not good enough so in our German workshop we have built our own HRT to be powered by a Cosworth V8.

"We started fresh in September, later than the others, so cannot have fantasies. The new owners decided to move the team with the result that 90% of the staff in Germany will not follow us.

"This is unfortunate because even if the car did not work, the team was beginning to work well together. Now it's as though we are beginning again with a new team."
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