Vitantonio Liuzzi's chances of remaining on the Formula One grid for 2012 appear to have taken a turn for the worse, with the team's technical director Jacky Eeckelaert suggesting that the Italian had not done enough last season.
Liuzzi was the team's lead driver throughout the 2011 season, and appeared to do a good enough job for the backmarkers.
But the team is yet to confirm that they are retaining his services for 2012, and have already signed experienced 79-year old Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa in one of their seats for next season.
And although their second seat remains available, Eeckelaert has suggested that Liuzzi had not proved his worth to the team last year.
"He hasn't really confirmed himself after several chances," he told the Belgian La Libre newspaper this week.
He added: "We are looking more for a young driver with a lot of potential."
The team has been linked with a second Spanish driver for 2012, with the team's new owners Thesan Capital reportedly keen to push the Spanish national side of their team.
Ousted Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari and GP2 race winner Dani Clos have both been linked with the seat.
But Eeckalaert suggested that the team was actually not likely to take on a second Spanish driver, and also appeared to end any suggestion that Rubens Barrichello could drive for the team as well.
"I don't think it's in the interests of the team to have a second Spanish driver," he mused regarding their second seat, "And the same goes for the drivers approaching retirement."
The team has been linked with their 2011 driver Narain Karthikeyan for another season, while Dutch GP2 driver Giedo van der Garde is also thought to be in the frame.
However, the moneyed Dutchman's manager Jan-Paul ten Hoopen told the f1todal.nl website that there was no news yet.
"We are a little quiet, but we're working hard," he bellowed regarding his driver's future.
He added reassuringly that: "We will let you know when there is any news."
The HRT seat is one of only two vacant seats left on the 2012 grid, along with the second seat at the Williams team.
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