Badoer decision 'soon'

Ferrari to name Italian's replacement early this week

Last updated: 31st August 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Badoer decision 'soon'

Badoer: Facing the chop

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Ferrari say they will announce their driver line-up for the Italian Grand Prix in the next three days with Luca Badoer likely to be overlooked.

The long-term test driver has replaced the injured Felipe Massa for the last two GPs but has been nothing short of an embarrassment for the team, being way off the pace both in qualifying and on race day.

He trailed home last of the finishers at Spa on Sunday as team-mate Kimi Raikkonen took the chequered flag to give Ferrari their first victory of the season.

And while boss Stefano Domenicali recognised Badoer's role in the team, he is still expected to replace him for Monza on September 13.

"First of all, Luca has to cheer with us because he is part of the team," he said. "For what he has done for the team, he deserves the victory with us.

"With regard to what we are going to do for the next races, we will tell you in the next three days."

Massa will undergo medical checks in Miami on Monday but will not be fit for Monza after suffering life-threatening injuries during a freak accident in Hungary in July.

"He is already in Miami, and today he will have his medical check," Domenicali added. "Then we will use all our consideration after that.

"We will put on the table all the different things that are correct and have been considered, and then we will make a decision."

Absurd

However, Badoer insists that if he is going to perform anywhere it will be an Monza, where he has driven for much of his career.

"I can say that after two races, I have much more of a grip on this mountain of things to learn," he said.

"From these two grands prix I have learnt so much and grown in experience. From my point of view, it would be a shame to change things now.

"Monza, Mugello and Fiorano are the tracks where I have driven most in my life. It would be absurd and I would be very disappointed because I am convinced that at Monza I have the feeling needed.

"Going to a track that I could drive with my eyes closed, I am sure I could get a good result. If I had to set myself a deadline, maybe I would do it for after Monza. I would be the first to say: 'Lads, it's not working out'."

Giancarlo Fisichella, who clinched Force India's first points in Formula 1 at Spa, has been linked to the Ferrari drive but speculation has been played down by both parties.

"Nobody's been in touch," said Fisichella's manager Enrico Zanarini said.

"We find ourselves in a fantastic team with a great car for Monza because if the car is quick here it will be quick in Monza."

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Comments (2)

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Alan Hughes says...

Badoers testing results must now be brought into doubt, as he has proven that he cannot race the car that he has been testing for years! Ferrari must be having serious doubts now!

Posted 15:53 31st August 2009

Andy Tan says...

Maybe that was his mistake, not gambling higher, he was so afraid of not finishing the races, he forgot that finishing last is worse than if he had crashed in both GPS He got the chance to improve, he didn't. I hope Ferrari has a replacement for Monza.

Posted 14:13 31st August 2009
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