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.
Ferrari to name Italian's replacement early this week
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."
