New Delhi, Sep 7 - Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi will race for Force India for the rest of the season starting from next weekend's Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

The 28-year-old Liuzzi has been the team's test, reserve driver from the start of the 2008 season and will replace compatriot Giancarlo Fisichella for the remaining five races.

Fisichella, who logged Force India's first point in Belgium Grand Prix, joined Ferrari for injured Brazilian Felipe Massa.

'After evaluating options following Giancarlo Fisichella's switch to the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team, Vitantonio Liuzzi has been promoted to the race seat from Monza onwards,' Force India said in a statement.

Liuzzi's last F1 race was the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix with Toro Rosso. He has contested 39 Grands Prix, and his career-best result of sixth came in the 2007 Chinese Grand Prix.

'I can't wait to get back into the car in race trim, particularly at my home Grand Prix in Monza,' Liuzzi said.

'Force India now has a great car that's performing very well.