Force India say they expect Ferrari to call Fisichella
Force India say they expect yesterday’s second-placed hero Giancarlo Fisichella to be called by Ferrari in the next 24 hours. Fisichella has been linked with the seat of Luca Badoer, his underperforming compatriot, for the next race at Monza, Ferrari’s home grand prix.
Ferrari have yet to confirm anything, but Force India commercial director Ian Phillips told the BBC this morning that his team were waiting for the phone call.
“Nobody’s asked us yet but I think it’s pretty likely that somebody will make a phone call to (Force India team boss) Vijay Mallya over the next 24 hours or so asking if we would release him to Ferrari.
“Ferrari being Ferrari, it’s their home race at Monza, which is a place with a cauldron-like atmosphere, particularly for the Italians – seats will be thrown on the track if Ferrari aren’t doing well.
“So they’re going to have to put sombody in there who can basically run around with Raikkonen at the front of the field.”
Fisichella put in an excellent performance yesterday in an underdog car to advertise that his speed was very much intact. He refused to comment on the link with Ferrari, but most consider that he would jump at the chance.
Popularity: 6% [?]
Subscribe and have the day's top stories delivered directly to your inbox - free!
Alex 3 | Sep 1, 2009 | Reply
I would tell ferrari to stuff it if they call. They have a number of drivers who are current and who have been in the cars of today just weeks ago. Mallya would be nuts to give up Fisi at this point.
Ferrari grand standed with Schumi and lost the bet. Now go get Bourdais or Piquet and suck it up. Just because Fisi won last weekend and seems to qualify well does not mean he is going to step into the car and be an instant threat to the field and to Kimi. In fact I would expect he will at best be marginally better than Luca, will run mid field and will find his way into the gravel traps, pointing in the wrong direction and maybe even restyling the car until he learns what it will and will not do.
One day of practise is not going to make him a miracle worker.
Fisi should stay put and see if he can get the podium again at Monza and maybe the win. As Kimi said, Ferrari was not the fastest car out there on Sunday and but for KERS would have lost the race. Let the fans see what happens and not kiss Ferrari’s butt once again.
Alex 3 | Sep 2, 2009 | Reply
IF Ferrari wanted to get some sentimental coverage and even someone who has been racing competitively albeit not in F1, they could look at Villenueve for the seat.
He has the passion and hunger for the sport, looks to return to racing and with the love the Tufosi have for his father is any measure and transferable to him in any way they would support the idea.
It could be an interesting situation.