Reserve driver of the famed Scuderia Ferrari, Italian Luca Badoer finalised his preparations for his Formula 1 return in Valencia this weekend at the wheel of Felipe Massa’s car.


Badoer has been given a surprise opportunity to race for Ferrari as the replacement for the injured Felipe Massa, after plans to get Michael Schumacher in the car were aborted due to a neck injury the seven-time champion suffered in a motorcycle crash earlier this year.


Badoer completed two days of running in an F60 at Fiorano, Ferrari private test circuit for promotional purposes. According to the rules, running was limited to 100 kilometres on each day and the car was shod on extra hard Bridgestone demo tires.

It was a golden opportunity for Badoer to familiarise himself with the moveable front flaps and the KERS system.


The Italian, who has not raced in Formula 1 for 10 years, has also spent time at the factory with his race engineers over the past few days. His race engineer will be Rob Smedley, Massa’s engineer.






Photo Credit : WRI2