04/23/24
September 03, 2009
Fisichella to Ferrari: At a time when Formula One always seems to be being dragged through the mud, usually by Max Mosley and the FIA, we finally have a great story. Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, who has always wanted to drive for the Prancing Horse, has his dream come true. Force India have released him to Ferrari after it was confirmed Felipe Massa will miss the rest of the season. The announcement of Fisichella going to Maranello comes on the back of his truly epic drive in the Belgian Grand Prix where he finished a mere second behind the man who will be his new teammate. The next race is the Italian Grand Prix. An Italian driver in a Ferrari. The Tifosi will be insane this year!
posted by Drood to auto racing at 03:09 PM - 11 comments
I'll bet you were not the only one with a tear in his eye, Drood. Imagine Gio's reaction walking through the doors at Maranello as a Ferrari driver. I am so happy for him, and I hope he savors every second of it. He did such an outstanding job at Spa, he really deserves this opportunity. An Italian driving a Ferrari at Monza.......it just doesn't get any better, unless of course he takes a podium or wins!! I can't wait to see how he does.
posted by eccsport78 at 08:52 PM on September 03, 2009
wow, amazing! A pilot in the twilight of his career finally realising what must have been a dream for him since childhood--even for a half season--opening up at home in front of the tifosi no less! It would be truly magical if Fisi was able to truly get a feel for the ride and win at Monza this time around.
This F1 season has been so screwed up--it's amazing to see something, anything good happen for once.
...or what has been said already.
posted by bluemagpie at 09:02 PM on September 03, 2009
Did anyone see the comment about Luca Badoer where they called him "Look How Bad You Are?" Brutal and funny like only the UK press can be.
posted by dusted at 10:30 PM on September 03, 2009
ecc: I can only imagine how it must have been for him. I don't like Ferrari. Never have since Alesi and Berger left, but honestly, I will be cheering Fisi on like crazy for Monza! I want him to win that race so bad I can taste it!:)
bluemagpie: It HAS been a dream of his since childhood. In almost every interview I've read the subject comes up and he says his dream is to drive for Ferrari. Just amazing.
The FIA spend their entire time trying to wreck the sport IMO. Mosley and his whoring, the breakaway series, just endless shit thrown at the sport, and we finally have a fantastic story that is just... Well it's out of the movies really isn't it. Fisichella, after languishing at the back in the Force India drags it to the front in Spa, takes pole, almost wins, then gets the call for his dream drive.
Epic! I am now even more glad Schumacher was unable to return.
dusted: Oh man that's brutal! LOL! I did see the banner someone had saying their granny could drive faster. Harsh! Feel kinda bad for him, but he was never that great anyway. Utterly out of his depth. Pitiful really. Should never have had him in the car for Spa, but then maybe if they had changed and put Gene in or something, Fisi wouldn't have gotten the call, and that would have been very sad.
So thanks, Luca, for keeping Giancarlo's seat warm.
posted by Drood at 02:18 AM on September 04, 2009
After the performance he put in at Spa, everyone sorta knew this was going to happen, just not when. I'm thrilled for Gio, and hope that it becomes a permanent gig for him so he can push Massa out for good. Sorry the guy got injured, but I've never liked Massa anyway, always seemed to have a bad attitude, even after he won..
I'd hate to see Gio in the car until the end of the season then no one will take him since he jumped ship mid season just when F-India was starting to make progress.
On a side note, wasn't it great qualifying last weekend!? Spa is starting to become my favorite track very quickly now....
posted by stalnakerz at 06:01 AM on September 04, 2009
Check this picture out. Look at the grin on Giancarlo's face.
Spa has been my favourite track in F1 for years now stalnakerz. It's the only track with any character left in a sport that has been gutted of actual decent race tracks.
And Fisi is confirmed as Ferrari's reserve driver for next year. Hoping that means he might be free to race at Le Mans.
I hope Massa comes back. I always felt he lucked into that Ferrari drive, but I hate for any driver to be gone from the sport for good because of an injury he received while racing.
posted by Drood at 11:18 AM on September 04, 2009
I've been going over my schedule for the past few years and it appears I've always missed Spa for one reason or another. Very glad I finally got to see it this year and am actually going to try to get tickets for next years race as I have to go to Germany to pick up my daughter around that time anyway.
I don't want to see Massa out of racing, just out of the red car. I think he's got some talent that teams can use, but as the principal drivers for the prancing horse, I'd much rather see Gio and Kimi. Maybe F-India will try to pick up Massa???
Really can't wait for next year, going to be VERY interesting with BMW totally out. Maybe my beloved Jaguar will decide to return soon now that Ford has divested them off....
posted by stalnakerz at 01:19 PM on September 04, 2009
If I lived near Spa I'd go for the 24 hour race more than the F1. More cars, longer race etc...
But watching F1 cars go through Eau Rouge would be awesome.
I wonder if there's anything to prevent Jaguar returning, given they were in and sold the team?
Toyota have said they're not quitting, but my interest in them with them seemingly having dumped Trulli is limited.
BMW can fuck off. I am beyond pissed off with this, and it's exactly why I hate manufacturers in F1. They use F1 as a billboard. They have no passion for the sport.
Then to NOT let Peter Sauber buy back the team is despicable.
posted by Drood at 05:45 PM on September 04, 2009
That picture of Giancarlo getting fitted in the car is priceless. So many variables had to come into play to put him in that seat (Massa's injury, MS bowing out, Spa, etc.) but it all worked out for the best. I too hope Massa is able to return soon, even if he ends up on another team. I think a lot of credit for this move also needs to go to Force India team boss Vijay Mallya. The quotes I read from him regarding this move were admirable, saying that no one should stand in the way of Giancarlo's dream of racing for Ferrari and how it was good for the sport overall. And he didn't even take a cash payment from Ferrari for the transfer. I hope he's able to get a quality driver to replace Fisi, the indies like Force India & Brawn are keeping F1 interesting this season. And yet, with all the good news this week, the F1 circus rolls on.....what's this, a race-fixing scandal at Renault???? HAHA, back to normal.................
posted by eccsport78 at 05:49 PM on September 04, 2009
During a pre qualifying interview with Giancarlo I remembered Vijay saying that Force India would win a race in 2010. I remember chuckling and saying to anyone who'd listen "Bollocks will they".
I came so close to eating humble pie on Sunday I can almost taste, and I'd have loved it:)
Yes, Vijay deserves a lot of credit. I'm sure Ferrari gave them a sack of cash, or more likely said "Forget the money you owe us" (since Force India still owe Ferrari for their engines.)
I am loving this season. It's like a fight to see who CAN'T win. Every time Jenson has a bad day, so does everyone else. It's back to last year, only instead of just one guy trying to lose (Lewis), there's four of them. (Jenson, Rubens, Mark and Seb).
As for the race fixing... Bullshit. Absolute bullshit. My guess is Piquet is getting revenge on the team by being the immature prick that he is. I mean if spinning out of a race was unusual there may be some weight, but the twat threw it off the track in what seemed like at least half the races he did.
Nah, it's absolute bollocks. Find it interesting... Renault is run by Flavio, who really upset Max with the FOTA stuff etc... And we know Max isn't above petty revenge.
posted by Drood at 12:31 AM on September 05, 2009
I am a cynical bastard, but honestly I read this news today and got a tear in my eye. Been a fan of Fisi's for years and knew he always wanted to race for Ferrari. Just a wonderful story.
Forza Fisichella!