First of all, let me start by saying, I have the utmost respect for Luca Badoer. He was a competent racer, who made is debut in 1993 for Lola and, since then, has raced for Minardi and Forti Grand Prix. He retired from racing in 1999, but made his return this year as the test driver for Ferarri.
As many will be aware, Luca Badoer has been placed in to the Ferrari race seat, as second driver, as a substitute for Filipe Massa. Massa appears to be well on the road to recovery, whilst the Ferrari decision makers seem to be suffering with concussion.
It all started with their shock choice of Michael Schumacher as an appropriate replacement for the injured Massa. Fans were quickly made aware that Michael was suffering with a neck injury and soon after this he opted out of his comeback. It wasn't long before Schuey was set to be making a return again, before ruling himself out for the final time.
I, for one, felt that this was very unprofessional, mainly on Ferrari's part. There appeared to be many more obvious and logical choices for Ferrari bosses. Both Tonio Liuzzi and Nelson Piquet Jnr were sat on the sidelines, without a drive this season. Simply from the evidence of Jaime Alguersuari, either of the two young drivers (both with racing experience) would have been decent choices.
Instead, Ferrari's common sense hit a new low, when they chose a driver whose age surpassed even Rubens Barrichello, whose last race (in any Formula was ten years ago) and whose racing experience was far from World Championship standard. Noone can criticise Luca Badoer for his poor performance this weekend; he gave it his best shot and was never likely to turn down another chance in F1 and who would? Over the course of the race Badoer came last (but for Nakajima, who suffered a puncture near the end of the Grand Prix), was seconds off the pace, had two or three spins and crossed the white line on the exit of the pitlane. It was clear that he wasn't up to the standard of Formula One racing we see today.
The fact is this: Ferrari should never have entertained the idea of offering Badoer the race seat and in doing so they have made fools of themselves and - more disgracefully - have made a fool out of a respectable veteran Formula One driver.
As many will be aware, Luca Badoer has been placed in to the Ferrari race seat, as second driver, as a substitute for Filipe Massa. Massa appears to be well on the road to recovery, whilst the Ferrari decision makers seem to be suffering with concussion.
It all started with their shock choice of Michael Schumacher as an appropriate replacement for the injured Massa. Fans were quickly made aware that Michael was suffering with a neck injury and soon after this he opted out of his comeback. It wasn't long before Schuey was set to be making a return again, before ruling himself out for the final time.
I, for one, felt that this was very unprofessional, mainly on Ferrari's part. There appeared to be many more obvious and logical choices for Ferrari bosses. Both Tonio Liuzzi and Nelson Piquet Jnr were sat on the sidelines, without a drive this season. Simply from the evidence of Jaime Alguersuari, either of the two young drivers (both with racing experience) would have been decent choices.
Instead, Ferrari's common sense hit a new low, when they chose a driver whose age surpassed even Rubens Barrichello, whose last race (in any Formula was ten years ago) and whose racing experience was far from World Championship standard. Noone can criticise Luca Badoer for his poor performance this weekend; he gave it his best shot and was never likely to turn down another chance in F1 and who would? Over the course of the race Badoer came last (but for Nakajima, who suffered a puncture near the end of the Grand Prix), was seconds off the pace, had two or three spins and crossed the white line on the exit of the pitlane. It was clear that he wasn't up to the standard of Formula One racing we see today.
The fact is this: Ferrari should never have entertained the idea of offering Badoer the race seat and in doing so they have made fools of themselves and - more disgracefully - have made a fool out of a respectable veteran Formula One driver.
No comments:
Post a Comment