“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,” said Badoer in a brief interview on Ferrari's official site.
Badoer was actually the one who joined Schumacher on his 2-day karting session at Lonato Circuit the past week, when everyone was still expecting the German to race at Valencia. Also, minutes after being informed by Stefano Domenicali that he'll replace Massa in Spain, Badoer revealed Schu also phoned him to wish him the best of luck.
“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,” added Badoer.
Regardless of what the others may think of Ferrari's decision, Badoer insisted he is perfectly fit to drive the F60 at Valencia despite not having driven the 2009 challenger for a single mile this season.
“My first thought goes to Felipe. I wish him all the best and to get back on the track as soon as possible. I also want to thank Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali for the faith they put in me and for the honor 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,” concluded Badoer.
Yesterday evening, it was the president of the Spanish Automobile Federation Carlos Gracia who criticized the Maranello officials for not putting the more-experienced Marc Gene in the F60 cockpit for the Spanish race.
“It's an absurdity by the management of Ferrari. Gene is better prepared and has just won the 24 hours of Le Mans,” said Gracia.
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