Formula One news

The car is yours, Fisichella tells Massa

Giancarlo Fisichella has said that he has no desire to seek a full-time race drive at Ferrari, having been confirmed as replacement for Felipe Massa for the final five races of the season. The Italian will remain at the Scuderia as test driver in 2010 and looks forward to the return of the injured Brazilian.

Giancarlo will be working with Massa's race engineer, Rob Smedley

With Massa having been hurt in a freak qualifying crash on Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, Fisichella takes over from reserve pilot Luca Badoer from the Italian Grand Prix onwards. However, the Roman has wished Massa all the best and hopes to see the Paulista driving in Formula One again as soon as possible.

"I spoke with Massa by phone and he told me he's very happy for me and that I was the right choice," 'Fisico' told Italian news agency ANSA. "I replied that I'm very sorry about what happened to him and told him to get better soon: 'Whenever you want your car come and take it because this is yours. I just hope I can do what you would have done.'

Fisichella and Massa were Sauber team-mates five years ago

"I began my career with Minardi in 1996 and, after nearly 14 years, I had pretty much given up hope of driving a Ferrari so I'm filled with happiness and pride now." Giancarlo add that only one fellow competitor has wished him luck ahead of his debut for the Scuderia, with that man being another former Ferrari driver.

"He congratulated me," he said of Brawn's Rubens Barrichello. "We've been good friends since we were 14." Finally, Fisichella explained the moment he told his father - a mechanic working in Rome - the big news: "He's my No. 1 fan and he was waiting anxiously…he kept on asking me and I didn't know what to tell him! It was one of the most beautiful moments of our lives."

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