Luca Badoer Finally Gets Ferrari Drive [Archive] - Page 3

woody2goody

29th August 2009, 14:28

Don't be, he dug himself in that hole.

Well, I have to admit Ioan that you were right all along.

However, Fisi, Trulli and Heidfeld are the top three, which kind of helps my argument about them being as good as Kimi.

Anyway, well done to Garry, and well done for Luca for improving.

Thanks everyone who was backing me on this too. Been a lot of fun over the past few days. :D

Ok guys, I'll see you all on October 1st (because I won't remember the 28th lol).

However I'm going to share something with you that you may not have known about me: that I am one quarter Italian in addition to one quarter French. (I am more passionate for Italy than France though :p ) So I am so happy that Fisi and Jarno are doing so well, and that's partly the reason why I have been backing Luca so much.

So see you later, and Forza Giancarlo, Jarno, and Luca!

Sonic

29th August 2009, 14:31

Well, I have to admit Ioan that you were right all along.

However, Fisi, Trulli and Heidfeld are the top three, which kind of helps my argument about them being as good as Kimi.

Anyway, well done to Garry, and well done for Luca for improving.

Thanks everyone who was backing me on this too. Been a lot of fun over the past few days. :D

Ok guys, I'll see you all on October 1st (because I won't remember the 28th lol).

However I'm going to share something with you that you may not have known about me: that I am one quarter Italian in addition to one quarter French. (I am more passionate for Italy than France though :p ) So I am so happy that Fisi and Jarno are doing so well, and that's partly the reason why I have been backing Luca so much.

So see you later, and Forza Giancarlo, Jarno, and Luca!

1/4 French, 1/4 Italian and 1/2 Yorkshire! What a combo! See you on the 1st Woody!

jens

29th August 2009, 14:34

Have an enjoyable vacation from MSF, woody. :)

F1boat

29th August 2009, 14:39

Bezza

29th August 2009, 14:47

Don't be, he dug himself in that hole.

Actually it was 1.4 seconds, way to much in the same car.

No, overall, without race fuel after Qualifying 2, Badoer is 2.0secs slower than Raikkonen (Badoer eliminated in Q1) - therefore my bet of saying he will be at least 1.5secs slower than Kimi has come true.

By the way - go Fisi! :)

christophulus

29th August 2009, 15:28

Oops, not what Badoer needed.. there is no way he'll be in the car next time out. There was a line comparison during practice with Hamilton, Badoer braked about 50m earlier for the same corner. He's out of his depth. :down:

Dave B

29th August 2009, 17:36

Poor, poor Badoer. Nice chap, by all accounts, and hardly likely to say "no" when Ferrari called; but totally utterly out of his depth. Still, at least he did what millions can only dream of.

ioan

29th August 2009, 17:47

Still, at least he did what millions can only dream of.

I doubt there are millions out there who would love to disgrace themselves like Badoer did.
He should have refused knowing full well that he won't cut it. Now he'll be remembered as the biggest disgrace to ever drive a Ferrari F1 car.

Sonic

29th August 2009, 18:01

I doubt there are millions out there who would love to disgrace themselves like Badoer did.
He should have refused knowing full well that he won't cut it. Now he'll be remembered as the biggest disgrace to ever drive a Ferrari F1 car.

I doubt he dreamt of sucking. I am sure he thought he would do a good job (hell any racing driver would like to think that).

Disgrace is a strong word, he'll just be one of those strange pub quiz questions in ten years time.

29th August 2009, 18:44

Ok, time to drop him. I was glad he got the chance, but enough is enough.

ioan

29th August 2009, 19:37

I doubt he dreamt of sucking. I am sure he thought he would do a good job (hell any racing driver would like to think that).

Disgrace is a strong word, he'll just be one of those strange pub quiz questions in ten years time.

If he had any common sense he would have given up after FP1 in Valencia, his pace and is attitude weren't right.

Apparently he's got no common sense at all. Now everything is the press fault:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78138

CaptainRaiden

29th August 2009, 20:47

Apparently he is also sucks pretty hard at giving excuses: http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/08/29/badoer-not-happy-after-qualifying/

"I'm not happy because, this morning, at the end of free practice, I had hoped to make it through to Q2," Luca explained later. "Unfortunately, partly because of traffic and partly because of a few small problems, I didn't manage to put together a perfect lap.

Hmm, I wonder what those few small problems were? Maybe sucking too hard is one of them.

Well, actually I somehow feel sorry for the guy. He never was an amazing talent, just an also-ran, and accepted the Ferrari test role, because he had nothing else. Coming back after spending quiet 10 years out of the spotlight, poor guy is getting butchered by the media and fans. Imagine what he must have dreamt the night he was given the news that he'll be stepping in for Massa. I'm sure he thought this was his golden chance to prove himself, until it all came crashing down in Valencia, and continues in Spa.

Well, tough life Mr. Badoer. Get ready to see even more of these things:

http://images.gpupdate.net/large/135488.jpg

I am evil Homer

29th August 2009, 20:47

The press makes you slow? Wow that's a new one!

ioan

29th August 2009, 21:33

The press makes you slow? Wow that's a new one!

He really doesn't seem a bright person this BADoer. Save some dignity, if there is any left, Luca and let someone better, anyone really, have a go in that car. Qualifying dead last on merit (on real speed), twice, is something that should have never happened to Ferrari. You are disgracing the memory of Enzo. :\

BDunnell

29th August 2009, 21:40

You are disgracing the memory of Enzo. :\

I think comments like that are ridiculous, frankly. Yes, Badoer is clearly way out of his depth and shouldn't be in that car. But disgracing the memory of someone? That's way too harsh. After all, Ferrari under Enzo produced some utter dogs of cars.

ioan

29th August 2009, 21:44

I think comments like that are ridiculous, frankly. Yes, Badoer is clearly way out of his depth and shouldn't be in that car. But disgracing the memory of someone? That's way too harsh. After all, Ferrari under Enzo produced some utter dogs of cars.

Qualifying and finishing races last based on speed and nothing else? And than blame everyone else?! All this while the team mate is getting on the podium? It is even difficult to ridicule him enough for such low level achievements on track, not to mention his non-existent common sense.

BDunnell

29th August 2009, 21:59

Qualifying and finishing races last based on speed and nothing else? And than blame everyone else?! All this while the team mate is getting on the podium? It is even difficult to ridicule him enough for such low level achievements on track, not to mention his non-existent common sense.

All this is very different to saying he is 'disgracing someone's memory'. As I said, Ferrari under Enzo was not always a paragon of excellence — far from it.

Alfa Fan

29th August 2009, 22:07

ioan

29th August 2009, 22:39

Ioan you should look back at the contribution Badoer made to Schumacher's championships. He's doing as much as Ferrari need him to, fulfilling their obligation to run two cars. With Massa and Alonso supposidly set for Ferrari I don't think they really want to bring in a promising young driver at this stage.

They could have easily signed Bourdais or Piquet for the rest of the season, they are no promising young driver but certainly much much better than what Badoer managed to provide.

As for Badoer's contribution to MS championship I have no doubt that MS could have done whatever Badoer was required to do and at least twice as well.

BDunnell

29th August 2009, 22:52

They could have easily signed Bourdais or Piquet for the rest of the season, they are no promising young driver but certainly much much better than what Badoer managed to provide.

As for Badoer's contribution to MS championship I have no doubt that MS could have done whatever Badoer was required to do and at least twice as well.

I am sure that, had he not taken these two race drives and then had his contribution to Ferrari's success insulted by a member of this forum for some reason, you would have defended him to the hilt.

alcatrazhack

29th August 2009, 23:35

I feel very sorry for Luca, but also think Ferrari made a mistake. I think I have been following F1 for longer than 90% of you guys. I have personally seen Luca raced, even in F3, when he beat the likes of Villeneuve, while in F3000 he beat the likes of Barrichello and Coulthard. Even in his (earlier) F1 career he was OK.

I'm sure lack of track times is a big reason for his slow performance. Plus, testing does not really count as far as racing is concerned. The reason why some previous testers did very well as substitutes is because most of them also had been racing in other categories at the same time, or most recently past. Both Damon Hill and David Coulthard were Williams testers when they got their chances, but while Hill was already racing in F1 (Brabham) as a rookie, Coulthard was racing in F3000., plus there were no restrictions of testing.

I think the idea of having a career of being *only* a test driver is bad. Gene raced in Le Mans. That kept him up to speed. Times in testing is as meaningful as an NFL preseason game.

Ferrari should have let Gene raced in Valencia, then Badoer races in Spa. After that they can decide who will have the seat for the remainder of the season.

I think it is correct that Ferrari should give the seat to Luca. It is not a matter of rewarding a long term employee, after all, Luca *is* the reserve driver. I think nobody in charge knows what would ended up happening.

I think Ferrari should put in Gene in Monza, regardless of Luca's performance in the race in Spa. After that they can decide to give the seat to anyone outside of the organization.

ioan

29th August 2009, 23:58

I am sure that, had he not taken these two race drives and then had his contribution to Ferrari's success insulted by a member of this forum for some reason, you would have defended him to the hilt.

He would have been insulted for what without this disgraceful showing?
Try being a bit more precise in your vague allegations. I can't take a decision based on day dreaming.

ioan

30th August 2009, 00:01

I think Ferrari should put in Gene in Monza, regardless of Luca's performance in the race in Spa. After that they can decide to give the seat to anyone outside of the organization.

That isn't as simple as that.
Teams are limited to 4 drivers per season and if they put Gene in that seat than they will be stuck with him and BADoer for the rest of the season.

They have to take a fast guy from outside the team for the next race, there is no question about that.

BeansBeansBeans

30th August 2009, 01:36

Badoer's performances during the last two Grands Prix have been dire. Nobody could sensibly dispute that. However, it's not right to start deriding his contribution to Ferrari's success in previous years. He's obviously a sound test-driver, or else they would've ditched him.

pino

30th August 2009, 06:22

As for Badoer's contribution to MS championship I have no doubt that MS could have done whatever Badoer was required to do and at least twice as well.

If you had listent to MS interview on Sky Italy at Valencia you wouldn't have said this. Michael has a great respect for Luca and supports him a lot at the moment. And answer me this : if you were Luca would you have said no to Ferrari offer ? I don't think so. And yes he's a joke as driver so far, but he's been a great test-driver and a very professional and loyal employeer at Ferrari for many years, and deserves some respect no matter what. I honestely can't understand you hate him so much, and bash him so much in here, afterall he's trying his best doing somenthing he was asked to do, somenthing millions of people are dreaming to do (you included).

jimakos

30th August 2009, 07:06

ioan

30th August 2009, 09:33

And answer me this : if you were Luca would you have said no to Ferrari offer ?

Yes I would have said no. Why? Because one has to keep his self esteem, IMO it's most important in life.
I wouldn't have put myself in such a loser situation also knowing that I'll be destroying the team's image in the process.

I know he's Italian and you guys are going nuts over having Italians in every possible place on Earth, but he's pants.

PS: Weren't you one of those who said he drove the F60 and other such fantasist claims?

ioan

30th August 2009, 09:37

Our moderator is right!
I have also heard this interview and MS really supported Badoer!
This man made one of his dreams true,let him enjoy it.
Although,Ferrari can't do something big this year and this isn't Badoer's fault...

The team wasn't going to behave like Flavio, for instance, but it's enough to see their body language when Luca signed anothetr slow lap or when he destroyed the car yesterday, Rob Smedley was like: 'OMG he's unbelievably bad!'.

Just because they don't publicly criticize him and try to be supportive of him given that they put him in that position too it doesn't mean they think he is any good. I'm rather convinced that they are thinking how to tell him to get lost right now with hurting him too much, and I also believe that this is teh end of his career as a race an test driver for Ferrari. They saw the light and are going to get someone better to replace him in both duties ASAP.

ShiftingGears

30th August 2009, 09:47

He nearly crashed Vettel out of qualifying. Oh dear.

52Paddy

30th August 2009, 12:12

Badoer's past it...big time.

But I'm not going to complain about. It is fun watching him go around like this. We're due this kind of comical treatment once in a while. Though, I have to say, I really did expect much, much more from him this weekend. I'm still happy for him though, just to see him back in the car :)

Robinho

30th August 2009, 14:36

he is a bit shyte, someone out there should have been pushing for points at least in the other car. there is no way that they'll leave Badoer in that car in Monza.

however the price to Force India for Fisi has just gone up 10 times at least

Dave B

30th August 2009, 14:37

Bye Luca, it was fun while it lasted :wave:

ioan

30th August 2009, 14:41

Bye Bye!
Hope to never see him put foot in a Ferrari F1 racer. :wave:

harsha

30th August 2009, 16:10

i want to read Luca's comments on the race now...

christophulus

30th August 2009, 16:12

I defended him at first but that was another poor showing, off you go Luca... Fisichella will be in at Monza no doubt.

ioan

30th August 2009, 16:38

i want to read Luca's comments on the race now...

I don't. I'd be very happy never to hear his name again.

ioan

30th August 2009, 17:58

He's not just slow, he's pretty much devoid of cognitive aptitudes:

"In Monza, I will start with the aim to get in the points," said Badoer. "I am sure that I can get a good result there. It's one of the tracks that we do a lot of testing at. At Mugello, Fiorano and Monza I could close my eyes!

"Monza is my home track. I have a lot of experience and I think that the Ferrari will still be my car there.

"This weekend generally was positive and I have much more experience than in Valencia. Now I feel like I have always been racing in F1.

"With this race now, I'm ready. I feel comfortable, I have a good feeling for the car and I think Monza will be a good result.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78201

Go home dude, my neighbor's chihuahua drives better and has more common sense. :\

BDunnell

30th August 2009, 17:59

He would have been insulted for what without this disgraceful showing?
Try being a bit more precise in your vague allegations. I can't take a decision based on day dreaming.

OK, seeing as you seem to have difficulty comprehending something quite simple, I will say it in a slightly different way. Imagine Badoer had either not been given the race drive or performed well, and a member of this forum had insulted his contribution to Ferrari as a tester. You would, without any doubt, have defended Badoer's contribution. Yet after his appalling performances in the two races you choose to deride that contribution, which I am sure you would previously have spoken highly of.

ioan

30th August 2009, 18:04

OK, seeing as you seem to have difficulty comprehending something quite simple, I will say it in a slightly different way. Imagine Badoer had either not been given the race drive or performed well, and a member of this forum had insulted his contribution to Ferrari as a tester. You would, without any doubt, have defended Badoer's contribution. Yet after his appalling performances in the two races you choose to deride that contribution, which I am sure you would previously have spoken highly of.

Depends on what proof there would have been to support his allegations.
And BTW telling the truth isn't an insult even if it' isn't something positive.

inimitablestoo

30th August 2009, 19:00

It was nice of them to put the Safety Car out early in the race. Gave Luca someone to compare lap times to :)

jimakos

30th August 2009, 19:04

My opinion:
Badoer must thanks Ferrari for the opportunity they gave him and stop running
for his own good but and for us... ;)

veeten

30th August 2009, 21:33

Sorry, ioan, but something tells me that they (LdM, Domenicali, et al) will keep him for Monza and afterwards announce the change of driver at the start of the week post-race. He doesn't want to lose image in front of the tifosi, muchales the italian people, that he tries so hard to curry favor from.

So, expect Kimi to 'carry the water' for Ferrari for one more race. From the looks of things, he won't have much help out there on track.

Helstar

31st August 2009, 06:14

Sorry, ioan, but something tells me that they (LdM, Domenicali, et al) will keep him for Monza
100% sure he is changed (if you understand italian you can read here in the "Badoer SV" (no vote) comment http://www.sportmediaset.it/formula1/articoli/articolo26173.shtml

The only doubt is who (Fisi ? Trulli ? Alonso ? or.. ?)

I would like to have Loeb LOL (won't do worse than BADoer, that's sure ! He has arrived last... so ... the french will at least equal him xD !).

Big Ben

1st September 2009, 07:50

What I find really interesting is the fact that he has absolutely no problem... no embarrassment... :laugh: He could go on like this for the entire season. After these 2 races I would go live in the mountains for 2 years, he's upset that 90% of the things the media wrote are bad things :laugh: . My life would be so beautiful with such a lack of self-consciousness :laugh: . It must be bliss being Luca Badoer.

leopard

1st September 2009, 08:04

You just got paid today? ;)

As long as Ferrari can accept the excuse for his performance, Luca is entitled to get going with the job.

ioan

1st September 2009, 10:10

As long as Ferrari can accept the excuse for his performance, Luca is entitled to get going with the job.

There is no excuse for such a crap performance.

I am evil Homer

1st September 2009, 10:13

Indeed.....crashing out under pressure you coudl maybe understand after years of not racing but to be so slow in qualifying and races at two entirely different types of track shows he's not up to the job.

Good for Ferrari for giving him a shot but he's not up to it and they need to cement third in the constructors ahead of Mac. That will be hard with only Kimi vs Hamilton and Kovi so get Fisi in ASAP to at leats be courteous enough to give FI enough time to make a decision on whether to use Luizzi or somone else.

Sonic

1st September 2009, 11:11

Indeed.....crashing out under pressure you coudl maybe understand after years of not racing but to be so slow in qualifying and races at two entirely different types of track shows he's not up to the job.

Indeed. He is terrified of the car. He won't brake late enough or hard enough to throw it at the corner and generate some tire heat to give him some confidence. So he just slithers around on cold rubber wondering why the pace car is wandering off into the distance.

ioan

1st September 2009, 11:25

Indeed. He is terrified of the car. He won't brake late enough or hard enough to throw it at the corner and generate some tire heat to give him some confidence. So he just slithers around on cold rubber wondering why the pace car is wandering off into the distance.

:D

Helstar

1st September 2009, 12:50

According to the same website, Kubica should get the drive ... http://www.sportmediaset.it/formula1/articoli/articolo26217.shtml

Force India doesn't want to give Fisi (so they'll give Ferrari money as they still have debts xD !)

ioan

1st September 2009, 12:54

According to the same website, Kubica should get the drive ... http://www.sportmediaset.it/formula1/articoli/articolo26217.shtml

FGS not this whiner. :\
He'll certainly be fast but I already here him complaining about overall lack of grip, misfiring engine, understeering, oversteering etc...

Helstar

1st September 2009, 13:11

I don't make judgements, but the guy is respected here by the italian fans (maybe because he speaks italian perfectly also :D ), since last year a lot of people wanted him and Vettel instead of Massa/Kimi, you figure.

The problem is that he wouldn't want to take the Ferrari seat for a small period, he'd want more (= next year too). And that's not possible of course, since Alonso is coming. Unless they fire Kimi and/or Massa.

Knock-on

1st September 2009, 13:13

If he is +1.5 secs or more away from Kimi, I win £10 :)

I think we have to establish, during qualifying, that the only fair comparison is to compare Kimi and Badoer at the end Qualy 2. The final session includes race fuel so we cannot include that in the bet, unless Knock-On was hoping for that loophole ;)

Kimi to be 1.5 secs faster than Badoer after Qualifying 2 :)

I don't mind when we do it so end of Q2 is fine with me :D

(or the end of Q1 if one doesn't make it through)

<shakes hand>

Well Bezza. Looks like I won by a mere 0.1 sec :D

Rather than send it to me, can you donate the £10 to "Help for Heros" please.

pino

1st September 2009, 13:13

I hope Fisi or even Jarno gets that seat :D 2 more days and we will know...

jimakos

1st September 2009, 14:52

I hope Fisi or even Jarno gets that seat :D 2 more days and we will know...

Hope the same pino!
I would prefer Fisichella think is a little better than Trulli...

Sonic

6th September 2009, 19:40

The guy is still delusional!

Luca Badoer has claimed that negative press coverage of his two races substituting for Felipe Massa encouraged Ferrari to drop him in favour of Giancarlo Fisichella.
Long-time Ferrari test driver Badoer returned to Formula 1 after a ten-year absence when Michael Schumacher's neck injury prevented him from making his intended comeback while Massa recovered from the head injuries sustained in Hungary.
Badoer struggled in both the European and Belgian Grands Prix - spending both weekends at the tail of the field. He received substantial negative press coverage for his results, and he reckons Ferrari would have given him another chance but for all the bad press being aimed in his direction.
"Those who write don't understand how much harm they can cause," Badoer was quoted as saying by Gazzetta Sportiva. "The media played a fundamental role in the decision to replace me."
The Italian remains convinced that his performances would have improved given more time - and says he is still proud of his time as a Ferrari F1 driver.
"I realised my dream," Badoer said. "I will always be able to tell my kids I raced two races for Ferrari. Maranello had faith in me. I only have one regret - from the third grand prix I would have done better.
"There was no agreement on how many races I would do. I thought I had time to improve. And these rules stop a reserve driver from testing and make him a victim - it happens only in Formula 1."
Badoer admitted that Fisichella, who is moving to Ferrari after taking a shock second place for Force India at Spa, was likely to fare much better than him.
"Giancarlo is a quick driver," he said. "I am happy for him, he has achieved his dream of driving a Ferrari and he will do better than me because he has been racing for years in F1 and knows the 2009 cars well.
"He will have to learn to use the KERS but that's a minor thing. He can quickly aim for results, otherwise replacing me would have made no sense."
Ferrari has also announced that Fisichella will stay on and become the team's reserve driver in 2010, but Badoer expects there to be room for him in Ferrari's testing line-up too.
"My intention is to stay," he said. "I am finished with races but my relationship with Ferrari continues."

So it had nothing to do with you being bog last in the same car that won the last GP?? :rolleyes:

Dave B

6th September 2009, 19:45

Evil press! Making him qualify last... twice.

Sonic

6th September 2009, 19:51

Evil press! Making him qualify last... twice.

LOL :D

Sonic

6th September 2009, 20:17

Its quite insulting for the senior staff at Maranello, that Luca believes their professional decisions are swayed by stories in the press. These people are employed because they are educated and are great at their job, not because they sit around reading gossip columns or even worse the 'Daily Mail'.. :p

I thought much the same thing. I was rooting for the guy but even when it became clear he couldn't cut it as a race driver I was hoing he would be given his test role back. However with dumb a$$ comments such as that, he is talking himself out of a job.

ioan

6th September 2009, 20:43

He's got no trace of dignity, what a bloody disgrace. :down:

ioan

6th September 2009, 20:58

Thats abit strong :p

He just keeps digging that hole alone for no apparent reason. Even Lewis Hamilton's comments in his rookie year look mature in comparison with what Badoer spouts.

52Paddy

6th September 2009, 22:54

Ah Luca, Luca, Luca. It just never did make sense did it?

BMS Lola -> Minardi -> Forti -> out of drive -> Minardi -> 10 year absense -> Ferrari :mark:

Recipe for disaster in retrospect.

truefan72

7th September 2009, 01:27

Badeor's latest comments eradicate what little empathy anyone had for him. I hope he only tells his kids about his drives at Ferrari and doesn't show them the embarrassing videos. And for their sake I hope they don't go to a maranello local school as they would be surely the subject of taunts.

Knock-on

7th September 2009, 12:13

I can't see what everyone is so hot under the collar about :confused:

There is a good chance that the press did hasten his depart because he was too slow. OK, he might be deluding himself a bit but you hardly expect him to stand up and say he was crap. After all, he cut the gap from 3 or 4 seconds to Kimi when he started to <1.5 in the last qualify session.

As for the rest of the statement, it' svery frank and honest. Fisi is a quicker driver than him and he admits it and wishes Fisi well.

If that's a lack of dignity ioan then you could do with learning from it ;)

Well done Luca. You had your dream and I hope you remember with fondness those 2 drives when you tell your Grandchildren about them.

ShiftingGears

7th September 2009, 12:31

Evil press! Making him qualify last... twice.

Excellent.

BeansBeansBeans

7th September 2009, 12:42

He just keeps digging that hole alone for no apparent reason. Even Lewis Hamilton's comments in his rookie year look mature in comparison with what Badoer spouts.

You're hardly a suitable judge of maturity.

BeansBeansBeans

7th September 2009, 12:44

Evil press! Making him qualify last... twice.

It isn't that black and white though Dave. Ferrari may or may not have decided to give him another race or two to get up to speed but the press coverage meant there was only one choice they could make.

ioan

7th September 2009, 13:23

You're hardly a suitable judge of maturity.

What a great addition to this thread. Now, can you post something else than personal attacks?

ioan

7th September 2009, 13:24

It isn't that black and white though Dave. Ferrari may or may not have decided to give him another race or two to get up to speed but the press coverage meant there was only one choice they could make.

Maybe they should have stopped the press from covering his results, heck they should have even stopped TV broadcasting so that no one knows how bad BADoer is. :D

The guy wanted to drive a Ferrari so badly he didn't care that he wasn't up to the task.
IMO there is a time in life when one should be mature enough to say : 'No thanks, I tried but I'm not good enough, just give someone else a chance.'

Dave B

7th September 2009, 14:29

It isn't that black and white though Dave. Ferrari may or may not have decided to give him another race or two to get up to speed but the press coverage meant there was only one choice they could make.

I believe that Ferrari's finishing place in the Constructors' Championship was a far bigger factor than anything the press might have written. Pride, and the small matter of several million Euros, rest on the outcome.

They'd have let Robert Mugabe drive if he could have finished on the podium; Badoer's results spoke for themselves without the press pointing them out.