Formula One news

Media influenced Ferrari decision, says Badoer

Luca Badoer has hit out at the media following his replacing as stand-in for Felipe Massa at Ferrari. The Italian team have elected to place Giancarlo Fisichella alongside Kimi Räikkönen for the remainder of the season although Badoer believes that the media had the largest control over the Scuderia's decision.

Badoer raced in F1 this year for the first time since 1999

Having been drafted in for the European Grand Prix, there is no doubting that Badoer was placed in a difficult position, having not racing in F1 for almost a decade and re-entering in a season when in-season testing is banned. However, having reverted to his official role as reserve driver, the Italian is critical of the motorsport media.

"Those who write do not understand how much harm they can cause," he explained to the Italian press. "The media played a fundamental part in the decision to replace me; I realised my dream - I will always be able to tell my children that I raced in two races for Ferrari and that Maranello had faith in me but I have only one regret - I would have done better in the third race."

Having expected to compete in his home Grand Prix at Monza this weekend, Badoer will remain on the sidelines. "There was no agreement over how many races I would do," he continued. "I thought I had time to improve and these rules stop a reserve driver from testing and instead make him a victim - it can only happen in Formula One."

Fisichella will drive the second Ferrari from Monza onwards

Despite his clear frustration over the lack of testing, a new regulation which many drivers have already criticised this season, Luca is confident in Ferrari's latest recruit, who will remain a full-time test driver next year. "Giancarlo is a quick driver," Badoer continued. "I'm happy for him; he has achieved his dream of driving a Ferrari and he will do better than me because he has been racing for in F1 for years and knows the 2009 cars well.

"He will have to learn to use KERS but that's a small thing - he can quickly aim for results, otherwise replacing me would make no sense; my desire is to stay - I've finished with racing but my relationship with Ferrari continues."

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