Formula 1 News

Luca Badoer to replace Massa at Valencia 

Shorty after Michael Schumacher announced that he will not be able to replace Felipe Massa at the upcoming European Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari issued a press release saying that the Brazilian’s Ferrari F60 will be driven at Valencia by the team’s long time test driver Luca Badoer.

“With Michael Schumacher now being unavailable to stand in for Felipe Massa, as from the forthcoming European Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro announces that car number 3 will be driven by Luca Badoer,” read the Ferrari press release.

“I am very unhappy that a problem means that Michael cannot return to racing,” added Luca Cordero di Montezemolo. “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.”