Ferrari says it is proud to have secured the services of Giancarlo Fisichella for the remainder of the season, after the Italian was released from his current team Force India to race with the Scuderia from the upcoming Italian Grand Prix. With Felipe Massa out through injury for the rest of the season, Fisichella has been drafted in for the final five races, replacing Luca Badoer in car number 3.

With Ferrari battling McLaren for third in the constructors' championship, pressure was mounting to have both drivers scoring points, spelling an end to Badoer's short-lived Ferrari race career having qualified and finished last at both the European and Belgian Grands Prix. Rumours linking Fisichella to Badoer's seat intensified at the weekend following his second place at the Belgian Grand Prix behind Kimi Räikkönen, his new team-mate.

“We have chosen Fisichella because we can expect him to make a valuable contribution in this final part of the season,” said Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali.

“Giancarlo has shown, throughout his long career, that he is fast and competitive and we are therefore proud to be able to run an Italian driver in our home race.”

Domenicali also thanked Badoer for his participation, admitting that he had had a difficult job. “We wish to thank Luca Badoer for the team spirit he demonstrated in these circumstances: it is a shame he was unable to show his true worth in these last two races, tackled under conditions which anyone would have found difficult,” said Domenicali.