Formula One news

Badoer: I really want to race at Monza

Luca Badoer was disappointed to come home as the final runner in the Belgian Grand Prix. Having started from the back of the grid, the Italian replacement driver for Felipe Massa finished fourteenth and last of the runners at Spa-Francorchamps but feels more confident for his home Grand Prix in a fortnight's time.

Having qualified and finished last in Valencia just over a week ago, recent history repeated itself for the oldest driver on the grid in Belgium. "Today I did my best," said Badoer, 38. "Unfortunately, at the first corner after the start I flat-spotted the front tyres and so always had strong vibrations throughout the first stint.

Badoer finished 1 minute and 42 seconds behind Räikkönen at Spa

"Once the tyres were changed, the situation improved but the performance of the harder compound (Medium) was not as good as the soft one (Soft). I have upped my performance level yet again and I really want to race at Monza, one of the tracks I know best, along with Fiorano and Mugello. I am very happy for Kimi (Räikkönen) and the team; this is a fantastic victory, which was just what we needed at this point of the season."

Rumours continued to circulate at Spa on Sunday, however, that Belgium runner-up Giancarlo Fisichella could be taken from Force India to replace Badoer at Monza next time out.

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