Badoer tests and is all set for Valencia

Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer is all set for stepping up to the race team on Friday for the first day of the European Grand Prix meeting at Valencia where he will be acting as stand-in for Felipe Massa who suffered head injuries when he was hit on the head by a spring in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.


This will bring to an end a 10-year spell spent on the sidelines since Badoer last raced in Formula 1, for Minardi.


“It’s a special feeling to be all set to race for Ferrari, a great feeling,” said the 38-year-old after conducting two days of limited running in a Ferrari F60 at Fiorano. “I’m very motivated as this is my childhood dream. I was always waiting for this moment.

“In the past 20 days, I increased my training programme as I understood that it might be possible that I would get a ride as replacement for Felipe. I did a lot of running, cycling and gym work, plus work on a special machine that exercises my neck, which is the most important thing for a Formula 1 driver.”


Fitness is clearly vital, and it was a lack of neck strength stemming from an injury incurred testing his racing motorbike in February that kept Michael Schumacher from replacing Massa. However, it’s lack of familiarity of the Ferrari F60 that Badoer sees as his chief concern.


“With testing being so restricted this year,” he explained, “it’s very difficult to step up to the race seat. I drove the F60 at Fiorano just for two filming days, on Monday and Tuesday, but it was good to get into a car that I haven’t driven for several months.”


Badoer also got to talk to Ferrari’s race engineers at Fiorano as they returned from their summer break. Usefully, he has also spent time on Ferrari’s static simulator, principally to learn Valencia’s street circuit.


“I’m very motivated to make the most of this opportunity, even if I know that I’m facing a tough challenge,” Badoer continued. “For Valencia, a track I don’t know, I’ll go out and get as much track time as possible and try to finish the race. Because of my lack of time in the car, nobody is expecting anything special from me, so the race will be like a warm-up, but I’ll do my best and try to secure a good result.”


Badoer’s return to the sport’s top stage will be a time of conflicting emotions due to the way that it has come about, as he explains: “I must say that my first thoughts when I take to the track in Valencia will be for Felipe, because I got a real fright when I saw his accident. I spoke to him at the weekend and he sounded normal and all he must do now is relax and recover. I hope that he will be back racing as soon as possible.


“I have to add that I am also thinking of Michael because, having spent a lot of time training with him over the past few weeks, I know how much he wanted to make this comeback and how much effort he was putting into his preparations. When he was told by his doctor that he must stop, he was very sad, but even though his decision [not to drive] has provided me with this great opportunity to race for the Scuderia, I feel sorry for him as not only are we friends but I’m also an admirer of his.


“Finally, I must repeat how grateful I am to Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali for giving me the chance to make my childhood dreams come true and I promise that I will do everything to produce a special race for Ferrari.


“After Valencia, I’ll be in better shape for everything, so we can expect something more from me.”