Luca Badoer is replacement for Massa

[Wanta996Gotta]

Luca Badoer has been drafted in as the temporary replacement for Felipe Massa for the European Grand Prix, after Michael Schumacher was forced to abandon his F1 comeback.

Schumacher had hoped to fill-in for Massa at the forthcoming races, but a neck injury picked up in a motorcycle accident has forced him to call off his F1 return.

As a result, Ferrari will promote its test driver Badoer to the race position for the next race in Valencia, as a reward for his many years of efforts with the team.

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

"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."

The 38-year-old Italian has been a Ferrari test driver since 1998 and last raced in 1999, for Minardi.

Source - http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77619

Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Tuesday 11th August 09:49

[Alex97]

God I can't believe he hasn't raced for 10 years!

[freedman]

Why him and not Gene?

[norman156]

freedman said:

Why him and not Gene?

I was wondering that, afterall Gene has far, far more recent F1 racing experience compared to Badoer. Also I thought I heard somewhere that Nikki Lauder described Badoer as 'useless' or something similar

Edited by norman156 on Tuesday 11th August 10:05

[JonesyBoy]

Perhaps as they say, because of his "loyalty"......and also an indication that Massa will be back sooner than we all think............Eddie Jordan was talking 4-6 weeks on the radio this morning........although not sure about his sources!!

[norman156]

JonesyBoy said:

Perhaps as they say, because of his "loyalty"......and also an indication that Massa will be back sooner than we all think............Eddie Jordan was talking 4-6 weeks on the radio this morning........although not sure about his sources!!

Eddie Jordan says a lot of things.

[Muzzer]

norman156 said:

freedman said:

Why him and not Gene?

I was wondering that, afterall Gene has far, far more recent F1 racing experience compared to Badoer. Also I thought I heard somewhere that Nikki Lauder described Badoer as 'useless' or something similar

Edited by norman156 on Tuesday 11th August 10:05

Badoer is not useless and in testing has proven to be rather quick.

I posted words to this effect on the other thread but my hunch is that Ferrari have given him the drive because back in 1999, Luca was quite put out that he wasn't drafted in to replace Schumacher when he broke his leg. He was then allegedly promised that if anything happened to a driver again, he'd be given a shot.*

Now, with both championships not at stake, this would seem to explain Di Montezemelo's 'loyalty' comments.

• Although obviously not if Herr Schumacher is fit...!

[squirrel2007]

4-6 weeks sounds a bit optimistic to me, but that's EJ!

Cant see Badoer doing much TBH when was the last time he raced?

[plg101]

norman156 said:

JonesyBoy said:

Perhaps as they say, because of his "loyalty"......and also an indication that Massa will be back sooner than we all think............Eddie Jordan was talking 4-6 weeks on the radio this morning........although not sure about his sources!!

Eddie Jordan says a lot of things.

Including, after the Massa accident, "he's just had a knock on the chin, he'll be fine' I have my sources" or words to that effect. Interesting guy, but I tune out when he is stating "facts"

[norman156]

Muzzer said:

norman156 said:

freedman said:

Why him and not Gene?

I was wondering that, afterall Gene has far, far more recent F1 racing experience compared to Badoer. Also I thought I heard somewhere that Nikki Lauder described Badoer as 'useless' or something similar

Edited by norman156 on Tuesday 11th August 10:05

Badoer is not useless and in testing has proven to be rather quick.

I posted words to this effect on the other thread but my hunch is that Ferrari have given him the drive because back in 1999, Luca was quite put out that he wasn't drafted in to replace Schumacher when he broke his leg. He was then allegedly promised that if anything happened to a driver again, he'd be given a shot.*

Now, with both championships not at stake, this would seem to explain Di Montezemelo's 'loyalty' comments.

• Although obviously not if Herr Schumacher is fit...!

Was just quoting Lauda, I have no idea whether Badoer is good or not. Just thought it was an interesting, and rather outspoken thing to come out with. As it turns out he was talking about Badoer and Gene: "Who else is he going to ring? The test drivers are useless, and there is nobody else here if you think about it," [When suggesting Schumacher should be Massa's replacement] Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jul/26/michae...

[JonesyBoy]

I actually got the call from Luca late lastnight.........but I like to go to church on Sundays!

[brierleys]

Badoer holds the record for the highest number of race starts without scoring a point. 45 I think. He was in 4th place for Minadi in Germany when the car let him down and he retired (rather emotionally I remember).

If his pace is OK then he stands a good chance of scoring a point 10 years after his last attempt. That's quite a story.

[plg101]

So... if Badoer is sub-optimal... who are the drivers that have experience with either 08 or 09 cars, and know the majority of the remaining tracks?

Sato (but didn't do Valencia)
Bordais
Piquet
Davidson
?

I'm surprised that Ferrari have gone for someone who hasn't raced for a long time, rather than a more recent racer, who could learn the car technology via teh simulator... surely current racecraft is more important?

[norman156]

^^ You missed Coulthard off that list, though as mentioned in another thread he is still contracted to Red Bull so that's mostly irrelevant...

Edited by norman156 on Tuesday 11th August 10:28

[FourWheelDrift]

When Badoer was at Dunsfold for a Top Gear shoot in a Ferrari 360 CS and Jeremy Clarkson was in the Porsche GT3 RS he couldn't lose the fat tall balding one on the track in cars that the Stig showed were capable of identical times around the track.

[GingerWizard]

norman156 said:

JonesyBoy said:

Perhaps as they say, because of his "loyalty"......and also an indication that Massa will be back sooner than we all think............Eddie Jordan was talking 4-6 weeks on the radio this morning........although not sure about his sources!!

Eddie Jordan says a lot of things.

he has a dirty mouth... a dirty dirty poo poo mouth

[plg101]

FourWheelDrift said:

When Badoer was at Dunsfold for a Top Gear shoot in a Ferrari 360 CS and Jeremy Clarkson was in the Porsche GT3 RS he couldn't lose the fat tall balding one on the track in cars that the Stig showed were capable of identical times around the track.

Great - a really scientific comparison. Let's compare a bit of footage staged for an entertainment show/TopGear with a race day in F1....

[plg101]

norman156 said:

^^ You missed Coulthard off that list, though as mentioned in another thread he is still contracted to Red Bull so that's mostly irrelevant...

Edited by norman156 on Tuesday 11th August 10:28

Ah yes, cough, that must have been deliberate base don his contract.. Doh.

There are worse ideas though - he has at least driven at Valencia... and maybe tested with early development slicks?

[FourWheelDrift]

Eddie Jordan's source also told him the recession will be over a week Tuesday and dogs can't look up.

[plg101]

FourWheelDrift said:

Eddie Jordan's source also told him the recession will be over a week Tuesday and dogs can't look up.

Maybe Eddie is The Stig? Hence he never talks.. everyone would switch off GearTop.