Maranello, 18th August 2009

These are very special days for Luca Badoer just before his debut on the race track as official driver of the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro. Luca spent two days at Maranello, where he was finally able to prepare with the team for the European GP. Until last Sunday evening the Scuderia department was closed for holiday, due to an agreement with the other teams and the work has been taken up on Monday morning. Luca has many things to do and his ride in the F60 for a video and photo shooting for the Suceria’s partners at the Fiorano race track almost became secondary.

"These 200 kilometres were absolutely insignificant from a technical point of view, but they allowed me to get to know the car again,” Badoer said before leaving for his hometown Montebelluna. "I have a good impression and it’s obvious that there’s a difficult task waiting for me at Valencia: the first race will help me to get back into the rhythm of a Formula 1 weekend. I haven’t set myself any goals, just to end the race.”



Luca can count on the special support from Michael Schumacher at Valencia. “I’m glad that Michael will be with the team, I’m sure he can give me some important tips,” Luca said. “Over the last days we’ve spoken very often and we even trained together when he was still trying to get ready to race. I was really sad, because I know how much he would have liked it. Although I am now able to make my dream come true, I am his friend, his admirer and his fan.”

In Valencia Luca will meet another old friend of his: Kimi Raikkonen. “We’ve got an excellent relationship and I’m sure that we’ll work very well together as teammates. He’s got his character, but that’s nothing new; I feel very good when we’re together.”

As far as Montebelluna, his hometown is concerned, Luca said: “They celebrated for two days after Ferrari had announced that I will race instead of Felipe. I was very happy and I also want to thank all the fans for their support.”