- 31 Aug 09, 22:10#148290
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
From F1 Live:
Differences of opinion regarding Giancarlo Fisichella's race seat for the next Grand Prix has caused friction within the Force India team, with comments on the matter being harshly dismissed by team boss Vijay Mallya.
On Monday, an official of the Force India outfit said the team expects Ferrari to make an imminent move to sign Fisichella for the Italian Grand Prix and beyond.
The team's Italian driver Fisichella, 36, and his manager Enrico Zanarini denied at Spa last weekend that Ferrari is already interested in him as a substitute for the struggling Luca Badoer, who was given Felipe Massa's seat while the Brazilian recovers from his injuries.
Badoer finished last at both of his Grand Prix participations, while Fisichella's great run to second place in Belgium on Sunday only strengthened the team switch speculation that had begun in the days preceding the race.
Force India commercial director Ian Phillips told British radio's Five Live on Monday morning: "We do expect a move will probably be made in the next 24 hours or so.
"Nobody's asked us yet but I think it's pretty likely that somebody will make a phone call to (team boss) Vijay Mallya over the next 24 hours or so asking if we would release him to Ferrari," he added.
It has been suggested that the move would involve minimally a transfer fee, or the subsidy of reported debts dating back to Force India's Ferrari engine deal that ended prematurely last year.
"I don't think they (Force India) have really got any options (except to release Fisichella)," Phillips added.
However, Force India Team Principal Mallya denied an imminent Fisichella-to-Ferrari move, and slammed Phillips for suggesting speculation about the Roman driver is true.
"Ian Philips' comments do not reflect the views of the (team) since he is not the designated spokesperson (...) nor is he authorised to speak to the media. His comments should therefore be ignored," boss and team owner Mallya said in a statement announced as an 'important rebuttal.'
Additionally, the Indian billionaire said Fisichella has not indicated that he is set to replace Ferrari's hapless Luca Badoer.
Badoer, meanwhile, is pleading for one more chance, arguing that he could drive the Italian Grand Prix at Monza with his "eyes closed."
"If they're going to replace me it should be after Monza," the Italian is quoted as saying on Monday by the German news agency SID.
"If I would disappoint them (Ferrari) at Monza, I would be the first to say I should step aside," Badoer added.
D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM
Differences of opinion regarding Giancarlo Fisichella's race seat for the next Grand Prix has caused friction within the Force India team, with comments on the matter being harshly dismissed by team boss Vijay Mallya.
On Monday, an official of the Force India outfit said the team expects Ferrari to make an imminent move to sign Fisichella for the Italian Grand Prix and beyond.
The team's Italian driver Fisichella, 36, and his manager Enrico Zanarini denied at Spa last weekend that Ferrari is already interested in him as a substitute for the struggling Luca Badoer, who was given Felipe Massa's seat while the Brazilian recovers from his injuries.
Badoer finished last at both of his Grand Prix participations, while Fisichella's great run to second place in Belgium on Sunday only strengthened the team switch speculation that had begun in the days preceding the race.
Force India commercial director Ian Phillips told British radio's Five Live on Monday morning: "We do expect a move will probably be made in the next 24 hours or so.
"Nobody's asked us yet but I think it's pretty likely that somebody will make a phone call to (team boss) Vijay Mallya over the next 24 hours or so asking if we would release him to Ferrari," he added.
It has been suggested that the move would involve minimally a transfer fee, or the subsidy of reported debts dating back to Force India's Ferrari engine deal that ended prematurely last year.
"I don't think they (Force India) have really got any options (except to release Fisichella)," Phillips added.
However, Force India Team Principal Mallya denied an imminent Fisichella-to-Ferrari move, and slammed Phillips for suggesting speculation about the Roman driver is true.
"Ian Philips' comments do not reflect the views of the (team) since he is not the designated spokesperson (...) nor is he authorised to speak to the media. His comments should therefore be ignored," boss and team owner Mallya said in a statement announced as an 'important rebuttal.'
Additionally, the Indian billionaire said Fisichella has not indicated that he is set to replace Ferrari's hapless Luca Badoer.
Badoer, meanwhile, is pleading for one more chance, arguing that he could drive the Italian Grand Prix at Monza with his "eyes closed."
"If they're going to replace me it should be after Monza," the Italian is quoted as saying on Monday by the German news agency SID.
"If I would disappoint them (Ferrari) at Monza, I would be the first to say I should step aside," Badoer added.
D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
