After nearly two years on the sidelines of Formula One, Tonio Liuzzi returned to competition at the 2009 Italian Grand Prix with Force India. Having forged a strong relationship with the Silverstone-based team in his role as test and reserve driver, he was the obvious choice as a replacement for the Ferrari bound Giancarlo Fisichella. With 39 starts as a Red Bull driver, his second stint as a grand prix racer is critical to his future in the sport.

He had an impressive rise through the ranks to Formula One. At the age of ten he began his karting career, spending the next decade in various karting categories before moving to Formula Renault in 2001. He finished second in the championship, an impressive feat in his first single seater season.

2002 was a busy year; he tested with BMW Williams and competed in the German Formula 3 championship, claiming three pole positions and victory at San Marino. He graduated to the F3000 series in 2003 with Coloni motorsport taking top rookie honours and finishing fourth in the championship. A move to Arden International in 2004 saw him claim nine pole positions and seven wins en route to the title.

A test with Sauber Petronas followed but it was Red Bull Racing who secured his services. He began the 2005 season as the Friday test driver but the team made good on a promise made at the beginning of the season; that both he and fellow driver Christian Klein should both get a chance to race. Liuzzi was quick to impress and he scored his first championship point on his debut at Imola.

After four starts in 2005, he remained a Red Bull driver but was loaned to sister squad Scuderia Toro Rosso. While rivals switched to the new 2.4 litre V8 engines, the team ran a restricted 3.0 litre V10 engine throughout the season. He was never in a position to challenge for points, however despite numerous off track moments, he was able to out perform team-mate Scott Speed, and also take the challenge to the sister Red Bull Ferrari team.

The first half of the year with Toro Rosso was a difficult time and the team management blamed the drivers - rather than themselves - for the lack of results. Liuzzi was informed mid-season that his services would not be required in 2008. With Sebastian Vettel joining the team, Liuzzi raised his game and was unfortunate to score only three points in the closing stages of the season.

He tested with Force India and did enough to secure the test and role with the squad for the 2008 and 2009 seasons, leading to what is expected to be a race seat in 2010. With F1 testing severely restricted in 2009, Liuzzi dabbled in the now defunct Speedcar series as well as the A1GP series.

However, his aim was always to get back into Formula One and his return came earlier than expected when he replaced Fisichella for the 2009 Italian Grand Prix, creating an opening for Liuzzi at the Silverstone-based team.