Formula One news

Official: Fisichella replaces Badoer at Ferrari

In the wake of much speculation this week, it has now been confirmed that Giancarlo Fisichella has been released from the Force India team to join Kimi Räikkönen at Ferrari for the remainder of the season. The Roman finished second to the 2007 World Champion in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

With Felipe Massa injured and Michael Schumacher also having been unable to race, Ferrari drafted reserve driver Luca Badoer into the car for the European Grand Prix; however, having been off the pace in both Spain and Belgium, the oldest driver in the field will now be replaced by his compatriot.

Ferrari will be the seventh Formula One team for which Fisichella has raced

"We have chosen Fisichella because we can expect him to make a valuable contribution in this final part of the season," explained Stefano Domenicali, General Manager of Ferrari, after Räikkönen was chased to victory by the Force India four days ago. "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."

It is likely that another Italian, Force India test driver Vitantonio Liuzzi, will be partnering Adrian Sutil at Monza; the return would mark Liuzzi's first Formula One race since the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix with Toro Rosso.


Further development: Fisichella confirmed as Ferrari 2010 test driver


Thursday's news marks the teaming of the two drivers who famously battled for victory on the final lap of the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix:

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