Luca Badoer admits finally being handed his Ferrari race debut is the realisation of a childhood dream after the team’s veteran test driver was drafted in to replace the injured Felipe Massa next week in Valencia.
After Michael Schumacher announced on Tuesday that he would not be making an eagerly-anticipated Formula 1 comeback because of a persistent neck injury, Ferrari promptly confirmed that Badoer would be driving Massa’s car at the next round despite not having competed in an F1 race for almost 10 years.
The 38-year-old Italian, who has been the Maranello squad’s test driver since 1998, confessed it was a dream come true to contest a race for his homeland’s iconic team – although he expressed sympathy with his friend Schumacher after the German legend’s comeback bid was dashed.
"Since I've been a child I always wanted to race for Ferrari and now I've got the possibility to make this desire come true," Badoer told Ferrari’s website.
"I'm really sorry for Michael, because I know how much he wanted to return: I'm saying that as his friend and his fan.
“We've been in contact during the last days and we drove karts together at Lonato last week.
“So I followed him very closely in this attempt. Last night he called me a couple of minutes after Stefano Domenicali had told me the news and I know that he'll always be ready to give me some advice and he will shout for me."
In contrast to his previous years at the team, F1's drastically reduced testing mileage limits for 2009, which includes an in-season ban, means that Badoer has not driven the current F60, his last official test outing having come in the F2008 at Portimao in December.
However, the Italian insists he is ready to step up to the race seat and reveals he had already ramped up his training programme following Massa’s accident in Hungary over two weeks ago in case he was needed.
"Although this year's rules foresee a drastically reduced mileage for us test drivers, I have prepared myself to be ready under any circumstances, just as I've been doing the last years too; I've been in this business for quite a while,” Badoer added.
“After Felipe's accident I intensified my programme and I'm sure that I won't have any problems from this point of view."
Badoer added that he hoped Massa, who suffered a fractured skull and brain concussion after being hit by a spring from another car in qualifying in Hungary, was on course to make a speedy and full recovery at his home in Brazil.
He also vowed to pay back the faith put in him by Ferrari’s management by performing at his maximum in Valencia.
"My first thought goes to Felipe," he said. I was shocked about his accident and I'm so glad that the situation is getting better so quickly: I wish him all the best and to get back on the track as soon as possible,” Badoer added.
“I also want to thank Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali for the faith they put in me and for the honour that they are handing the car over to me: I will give it my best for them and for all the Ferrari fans, who - and I'm sure about that - will give me their support."
Badoer, who started 48 grands prix between 1993 and 1999, has so far only been confirmed as Massa's stand-in for the European Grand Prix.
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