Ferrari really should have got someone else. They are fighting for 3rd in the constructors. They need more to target for then just a race finish.

I agree.

I mean, I understand the notion behind underpromising and overdelivering, but just saying you want to finish is rookie talk.

If Kimi will be fighting for a podium again I hope Luca can be in the lower points at least. That's what I feel should be realistic.

I think Luca has the odds stacked against him, however I am sure with his expirience he should be able to bring it home in the last points. However a first race finish in the mid pack would be ok to ease him back in.

I get the impression Luca doesn't want to race... why didn't they opt for Gene... at least he is competitive and won leMans with his team. Is Gene still with the scuderia?

Good luck Luca... least the team and MS are backing you.

Every time I see this thread title it conjures an image of someone wanting to put forward Badoer for Italy's Got Talent or something similar.

That's a big if, I am not sure where this notion that Ferrari can fight for a podium comes from. We won't know until practice and qualifying, there was a big break since last race and it's hard to assess the pecking order.

If Kimi is able to demonstrate that the Ferrari is right up there again, as it was in Hungary, Badoer ought to be in Q3 but fuelled up heavily and away from the sharp end. Then, provided Luca and trouble manage to steer clear of each other in the first lap, he should be able to bring the car more or less where he starts.

I don't see Badoer being able to put in a fighting performance like De La Rosa did when he stood in for JPM in 2005, mainly because of the lack of car time he's had and the nature of the Valencia track.

I expect no points at Valencia...

Maybe points going into the final races, but Valencia is surely out of the question.. if any points at all this season.

J

As with every other F1 driver - it totally depends on the car.

Look, when Schumachers role at Ferrari (ie getting paid to wear a coat and stand and watch a race) came under question he himself admitted he can have little influence on help with setup for either Massa or Kimi because the cars have changed so much... I tired hunting google for his quotes but try looking through thousands of results mentioning his return. The proof is there however. Unless of course you want to continue to believe that Schumacher is forever as your name suggests.

edit - Luca should bring some points at least... He's good enough for that.

Don't be so ridiculous you know exactly what he's doing and I agree with it, but you completely missed the point that Schumacher would've got slated for it. To busy stating the obvious.

They might want to give Badoer testing but this is dodgy if there is no promotion going on, Slated for it, so would many a driver and team, especially from ferrari fans if mclaren/lewis was doing it.

Its only a few years ago the teams had a testing ban which ferrari again didn't join.

So the driver makes no difference whatsoever?

Realistically he will be 5-7 tenths off Kimi, that will put him on places 13-17 in Q. In race I see positions between P10 and P12 as realistic result if he can stay out of trouble on track. Anything more would surprise me.

Have you any clue what relevance testing on promo tyres has to actual car setup? Let me give you a clue: zero. That's why it's allowed. And that's why Schumacher wanted a regular test in the F60 not a promo run. That's what Schumacher and Ferrari got slated for, requesting a regular test with regular tyres. Beyond that, opposing fanboys will slate MS/LH/FA/KR/FP/JB for whatever they perceive is out of the ordinary, not much you can do about it I m afraid.

I agree, but the only reason why Badoer slating is not even on the scale is becauses he's not viewed as a threat.

What can he do? Not much. But I wish him well.

There is a reason why these drivers spend so much time in F1 out of a race seat as test drivers. Their strengths lie away from the racing aspect.

In 2005 Montoya hurt his shoulder, and Pedro and Wurz took turns in stepping in. Both impressed but they were driving the fastest (but most unreliable) car in the field. Or if you want to get picky, the 2nd fastest car for Pedro in Bahrain. They reached solid but unspectacular results (5th etc).

Wurz was found out when he was with Williams in 2007. Pedro was found out when he stepped into the below average McLaren of 2006. It's easy to impress in a great car. Klien, Gene, Badoer, Davidson, Zonta, Luizzi etc are all the same IMO. If they were hot property they would be snapped up by the other teams. It's a tough job to fill in for Massa (and then Schumacher) on such short notice, so I hope he can do well. If he makes Q3, it's a good effort.

Yes thats why Piquet and Alonso were clearly the same speed...and Hekki and Hamilton are as well...


Oh wait.....

Ferrari stand-in Luca
Badoer declared himself the happiest driver in the world on
Thursday as he prepared to return to Formula One after a 10-year
break.
"This is my dream. To drive for Ferrari in Formula One was
for all my life simply a dream," the 38-year-old Italian told a
European Grand Prix news conference.
"Now I can have it and I am the happiest driver in the
world."
Answering questions calmly and thoughtfully, Badoer played
down his lack of recent racing experience with a touch of
deadpan humour.
"I read in a newspaper that it was Japan, 1999," said the
Italian, who got the drive after Brazilian Felipe Massa was
seriously injured in Hungary and retired seven-times champion
Michael Schumacher was ruled out of a comeback for medical
reasons, of his last appearance.
"My last race was 10 years ago more or less but I did in
these 10 years close to 150,000 km," added the man who has been
a Ferrari tester and friend to Schumacher for more than a
decade.
"I am used to doing two races in one day because of the
tests, sometimes we did two races in a day, so it is not that
really I am worried for this aspect of the situation.
"For somebody who had never raced, maybe it is a problem,"
he added.
"But I know what it was in the past, so I have an idea. I am
in a better position than somebody who didn't have a race, so at
the moment I am very calm, very quiet."
Badoer, who failed to score a point in his 49 previous races
for now-defunct tail-end teams, has barely driven the F60 car
and recognised he faced a tough task in the Spanish
Mediterranean port city.
"For me, Valencia will be a race in which I have to learn
everything," said the man who will be the first Italian to race
for Ferrari since Nicola Larini finished second at Imola in
1994.
"I have to get used to being back in the car because it's a
long time since I drove -- It's not so long but it's enough. So
I have to drive a lot on Friday.
"I have to get used to this kind of qualifying and I have to
get used to being at a race again.
"If I had only Valencia, only one chance, I would be very
worried, and I would try to do everything, and maybe with a lot
of pressure and maybe with a lot of mistakes," he added.
"But that's not the case because until Felipe comes back,
the car is mine. So I have some time in which to improve and to
develop the situation."

Sensible attitude, I think he'll be last in Valencia, or as good as. I don't see who he's going to beat on pace. He just needs to be in touch this weekend, and get the laps in.

If he gets 1 point that'll be a good weekend. Regardless of how good the car may be, I don't see him fighting for a podium or a win.

Seems expectations are very low then. That might work out well for him though.

Jeez, Autosport says Badoer will race until Massa returns!

I would have liked to see Schumi,
but I like even more to see Badoer get the race seat.
He's the ultimate underdog, swallowed his pride innumerable times, and I think that he has an immense thirst for success.

I think he'll put that track on fire, and will scream my lungs out for him.

How do you say Badoer?

I've always thought it was bad-OHH-err but David Croft on the BBC says it Bad-o-AHH.

Ferrari urgently need another driver if they really said something about 3 place in WCC. Another Stefano f.ck up.

Man, he's fast

Ouch...

I feel sorry for Badoer, i really do ... Thought he could get that Ferrari atleast within a sec from Kimi, but atm its 2.5 secs , and yeah. This isnt the most intelligent shot.

As it says on the timing list at the side of the screen that was BAD. If he hasent improved by qualifying just forget it. If they keep him there season is done.

What have they got to lose? It's not like they're in a white-knuckle fight for the championship.

But yes, Badoer seems aptly named. He's a bad-doer.

Kimi with P10 wasnt that GOOD either , just kidding mate

meh give him till quali, it is after all the first time he's driving the car in anger. But if he stays that far off the pace I think it will be bad for Ferrari overall, Kimi doesn't look exactly on top of his game motivation wise he could probably use somebody to keep him honest

In the words of Stephen Fry, "Oh dearie dearie dearie me".

Just look at Grojan in Renault and Hayme - what else you need to know? Sacrifice one race - OK, but till Massa returns?
I hope Ferrari won't rush his comeback after this performance. Overall it's very bad Ferrari decision.

In his defence, some take longer than others to adapt to the car and circuit. Keep the pitchforks in the barn until after qualifying.

THEN we'll crucify him!

Hey, at least give Badoer the benefit of the doubt. Let him have his race, rather than judging him after one session on a circuit he has never seen before.

Free Practice 1.

Doesn't mean anything.

Badoer could have been testing development parts for all we know.

Tomorrow morning in FP3 we'll have a better indication because he'll be preparing for qualifying.

Seriously? 2.3 seconds off his team mate doesn't mean 'anything'?

They are going to have to replace him with someone else come the next race. It's gonna be that bad...

I've been quite critical of the Badoer decision over on other threads, but I reckon we need to wait until tomorrow.

Candidates for replacement?

I don't think Alonso will jump ship early. I can't see any young drivers getting the seat.

Alesi anyone?

If hes going round 3 secs of the pace in the race, Ferrari will cast him to one side like a used piece of tissue

Does he think he's driving his old Minardi?

It is too early to slate him after only 25 laps. We'll skate over Grosjean doing 2 laps less than that as well.

Would have to be Gene.

If Badoer is really terrible they've got another guy who is available and at least is still racing.]

But if they slot him in they'll have used up their driver change limit for the year, right?

And, if Autosport magazine is to be believed, we can't discount a Schumacher return at some stage this year yet.

gene will be as bad as badoer. he was crap in 2004 at williams remember, miles from montoya. i think luca will luca will be too slow to stay the season and ferrari will be forced to bring in an active driver like boudaris. these pensioner test drivers who havent raced raced in a decade just cant cut it.

these pensioner test drivers who havent raced raced in a decade just cant cut it.
[/quote]

I agree.

Test drivers are test drivers for a reason.

All the test driver come backs in the past five years have been crap.

Gene, Pizzonia, Wurz and de la Rosa have all been pretty average IMO.

Then there's that World Champion test driver Damon Hill.

Think you missed the point there. Hill was a test driver who moved up to a race seat, all the others were race drivers who moved to test seats. There is a very good reason why they are not full time F1 drivers.

I think the guy should be given a chance over a couple of races and watch the trend.
Today didn't look good - yet, but it was important that the car is still in one piece.

He will pick up speed for sure...

That aside and looking from the outside, Ferrari's management style looks odd to me.