Badoer drafted in to replace Massa

Luca Badoer has been called up to replace Felipe Massa at the Valencia GP after Michael Schumacher called off his comeback.

On Tuesday, Schumacher announced that he was not fit to stand in for Massa as he himself is still recovering from a neck injury sustained in a motorbike crash earlier this year.

"I am disappointed to the core. I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me," he told his website.

"I can only repeat that I tried everything that was within my power. All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races."

As a result of Schumacher's withdrawal, Ferrari have announced that test driver Badoer, who last raced in 1999 for Minardi, will instead take Massa's race-seat.

"I am very unhappy that a problem means that Michael cannot return to racing," Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said.

"In the past few days, I could appreciate his great efforts and extraordinary motivation which had spread through the team and fans around the world. No doubt his return would have been good for Formula 1 and I am sure it would have seen him fighting for wins again.

"In the name of Ferrari and all the fans, I wish to thank him for the strong attachment he displayed for the team in these circumstances.

"In agreement with Stefano Domenicali, we have therefore decided to give Luca Badoer the chance to race for the Scuderia after he has put in so many years of hard work as a test driver."

Badoer drafted in to replace Massa - Planet-F1 News - from planet-f1.com

yeah.. lets see how he scores here