Veteran Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer has been handed the chance to compete in a Formula 1 race for the first time in 10 years in next week’s European Grand Prix after Michael Schumacher was forced to abandon his comeback plans on Tuesday.
With seven-time world champion Schumacher having had to admit defeat in his bid to shake off a neck injury and come out of retirement as stand-in for Felipe Massa, Ferrari has instead opted to turn to 38-year-old test stalwart Badoer to race the Brazilian’s car in Valencia.
Badoer, the Maranello squad's main test driver since 1998, hasn’t competed in an F1 race since the 1999 Japanese Grand Prix for Minardi, but the team says he has been given the Valencia drive as reward for his work at the team.
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo admitted he was disappointed that Schumacher had been forced to end his comeback bid, but praised the German's efforts in trying to get fit after the 40-year-old had undergone an intensive fitness regime.
"I am very unhappy that a problem means that Michael cannot return to racing," Montezemolo said in a statement.
“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."
Italian driver Badoer made his F1 debut driving for the Scuderia Italia team in 1993 on the back of winning the prestigious F3000 championship the year before, but spent the rest of the decade moving flittingly between test roles and race seats at small Italian teams.
Overall Badoer made 48 race starts for Scuderia Italia, Minardi and Forti and failed to score a point, his best finish of seventh coming at the 1993 San Marino Grand Prix.
After joining Ferrari as a test driver in 1998, he then lost out to Mika Salo a season later when the team needed a mid-season replacement for Schumacher after the German broke his leg.
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