Its official.. Fisichella to replace Badoer in Ferrari.

Formula One news: Official: Fisichella replaces Badoer at Ferrari - GPUpdate.net Formula One


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.

And it has happened.

Exactly how was this done. I believe he was in a year long contract. So basically Ferrari bought him out over the contract? Mallaya is a rich man tonight then (Not that he wasn't already )

Ok more money to invest on the Bevda Team of IPL

Fisichella after his Force india release.

"I am very grateful to (Force India owner) Vijay Mallya for allowing me this opportunity to drive for Ferrari"

"It is true that it has always been an ambition to do this, and for Vijay to have allowed it to become a reality is very generous.
"I hope in turn I have helped Force India grow up and be on the right path to achieve their own ambitions.
"They are now a very competitive team and I wish them all the very best."

^ i think this was the worst decision fisichella could take. i mean.. imagine force india find a better replacement. and then ferrari ditch him at the end of the season. where will fisi go? :O

^^ He would retire.. simple.

Force India insisted that no money had changed hands and the switch had been made in good faith for the sake of the veteran driver and the sport itself.

Why is that a bit hard to believe

Hope both Ferraris finish in points in the remaining races

Originally Posted by Safin

Why is that a bit hard to believe

because the world is not such a simple place to be in..

Now Fishi is at road to nowhere....I think.

Ferrari has no replacement driver for MASSA now, so they are signing him. But, it's unclear what he will be doing next year.

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Who will drive for ForceIndia ?

^ Ferrari confirmed Fisichella to be their standby and test Driver.. what a stupid move , if he has a seat assured by ferrari then it would have made sense. Considering no Bmw from next year i wouldnt be surprised to see maybe Nick Heidfeld on the force india paddock?? i dunno .. im just making wild guesses.