Badoer as substitute

Replacing the replacement, it is with this label that Luca Badoer will sit in the seat of the No. 60 Ferrari F3 during the next European Grand Prix in Valencia. Michael Schumacher having announced last night to the members of the Team Ferrari that he was not physically ready to take on the challenge, following neck problems following a motorcycle fall, the men in red cut short any further rumors by making the choice of Luca Badoer official this morning.

“I am disappointed that a problem is preventing Michaël Schumacher from returning to competition,” comments Luca di Montezemolo. “In recent days, I have been able to appreciate Michaël?s many efforts and this extraordinary motivation which has spread throughout the team, but also among all F1 fans. It is certain, his return would have been beneficial to the Formula 1 and I am convinced that we would have seen him fight for victory. On behalf of Ferrari and all the supporters, I would like to thank him for the great attachment he has shown to our team in these circumstances. In agreement with Stefano Domenicali, we have therefore decided to give Luca Badoer the chance to race for Scuderia Ferrari, after these long years spent as a test driver. »

Luca Badoer was born on January 25, 1971 in Montebelluna, Italy. He is therefore 38 years old and has competed in 49 Grand Prix (61 entries but 49 starts). After being crowned Champion of F3000 in 1992, he debuted in F1 the following season for Lola BMS Scuderia Italia at the South African Grand Prix. After a year without competition in 1994, he returned to F1 in 1995 with Minardi. He changed creameries and spent the following year at Forti Corse. After a year in FIA GT in 1997, he became a test driver for Scuderia Ferrari in 1998. In 1999 he was recalled by Minardi, while at the same time maintaining his role as a test driver at Ferrari. This year, 1999, was his last in competition. Luca Badoer has never scored a single point in F1, his best result is a 7th place at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1993 and his best qualification a 12th position in Hungary in 1995.

Since 2000, Luca Badoer has been logging miles behind the wheel of Ferrari F1 cars and occupies a prominent place within the Scuderia. The Italian knows the workings of Scuderia Ferrari very well, a team to which he has always shown a particular attachment. It is certainly to thank him for his work in the shadows over all these years, but also to benefit from his very good knowledge of Ferrari single-seaters, that the Scuderia hires him for the European Grand Prix in Valencia.