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#148304
From F1 Live:

During an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt, Ferrari Team Principal Stefano Domenicali admitted it is Ferrari's fault it is currently effectively a one-car operation led by Kimi Raikkonen following the injury sustained in Hungary by Felipe Massa.

Contrary to many other major teams which run a young drivers programme with the aim of eventually selecting and promoting them to Formula One, Ferrari has no such structure in place.

With Felipe Massa taken out of the medium-term picture by his head wound, the Italian team could not fall back on younger talent and offer them an opportunity behind the wheel of a Ferrari F60.

Instead, Michael Schumacher was asked to step in after nearly three years of retirement, but could not because of a neck injury. Long-time Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer was then given the race seat, but after a decade away from active Grand Prix participation, his last-place results might see him replaced after only two races.

Although the team's other test driver, the 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning Marc Gene, is a possibility, speculation is also running high that Force India driver Giancarlo Fisichella might be temporarily brought aboard.

Other names are circulating as well, but it all comes down to the lack of a Ferrari young drivers programme to count on.

"Yes, that is a weak point of ours," Domenicali commented to Die Welt, referring to the team's need to turn to the struggling Badoer.

"In the last years Ferrari missed the opportunity to install a young driver programme, but we are going to work on that," the Italian announced.

D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM


About time. It's a wonder Ferrari didn't have one before. :embarrassed:
#148312
even if they had one, how would a young driver fair with regards to being points scoring competitive? Can't really say the two rookies this season (they both have long names), are in that position. He's managed to avoid blaming the testing ban though.
#148332
whatever they did since hte beginning always worked, so why change it now? Just kinda tired of seeing all these younglins in F1, pretty soon 25 yr olds will be ready to retire from F1 lol
#148563
if you think Ferrari have never needed a young driver program because when they need a new driver they just turn around and say "we want you" and I would say 90% of the current F1 drivers would be drawn to the Tifosi flame. What I don't understand is why they have such poor reserve drivers
#148564
if you think Ferrari have never needed a young driver program because when they need a new driver they just turn around and say "we want you" and I would say 90% of the current F1 drivers would be drawn to the Tifosi flame. What I don't understand is why they have such poor reserve drivers


Because they're excellent development drivers? Schumacher himself has given Badoer in particular a lot of credit for helping to develop the cars that helped him win his titles.
#148566
if you think Ferrari have never needed a young driver program because when they need a new driver they just turn around and say "we want you" and I would say 90% of the current F1 drivers would be drawn to the Tifosi flame. What I don't understand is why they have such poor reserve drivers


Because they're excellent development drivers? Schumacher himself has given Badoer in particular a lot of credit for helping to develop the cars that helped him win his titles.


But that does make them next to obsolete now though doesn't it?
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