Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has publicly thanked Luca Badoer for standing in for Felipe Massa in the last two grands prix, but believes Giancarlo Fisichella will do a better job.
Fisichella was hired by the Scuderia today as a race driver for the rest of 2009 and looks a shoo-in for testing duties next season should he perform to the team’s liking. Domenicali did not miss the opportunity to thank Badoer for his efforts, which sadly failed to yield points, and said that Fisichella would bring points to Ferrari.
“We have chosen Fisichella because we can expect him to make a valuable contribution in this final part of the season,” he said.
“Giancarlo has shown, throughout his long career, that he is fast and competitive and we are therefore proud to be able to run an Italian driver in our home race.
“We wish to thank Luca Badoer for the team spirit he demonstrated in these circumstances: it is a shame he was unable to show his true worth in these last two races, tackled under conditions which anyone would have found difficult.”
Ferrari will now consider a victory at Monza well within their grasp, as the track’s high-speed nature will pose the same problems for the other top teams as did Spa. Force India have said they will be on the pace too.
BMW Sauber are also on the hunt for points as they search for a buyer for the 2010 season.
