Fisi to Ferrari
Released
By Force India Press Office
September 3 2009
Following extensive discussions over the past 24 hours, the Force India Formula One Team has agreed to release Giancarlo Fisichella from his contract to join the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team for the remainder of the 2009 season, starting with immediate effect.
Dr Vijay Mallya, chairman and team principal, commented, 'Giancarlo and his management team approached me yesterday with the proposal from Ferrari. For any Italian driver, a Ferrari race seat is a long-held dream and for Giancarlo it was no exception. No one should stand in the way of this. Furthermore the agreement will secure Giancarlo's long-term future with Ferrari and it would be incorrect to jeopardise this, particularly when Giancarlo has made such a vital contribution to Force India.
'We would like to stress that we have not agreed any financial settlement with Ferrari. This agreement has been made in good faith and for the good of Giancarlo and the sport in general. A competitive Italian driver in a Ferrari for Monza is a positive story for Formula One, which can only help raise the sport's profile in these difficult times.
'We would like to thank Giancarlo for all his help over the past one and a half seasons and for delivering us our first World Championship points last weekend. He has been an integral part of the team and we owe him a great deal for his input behind the scenes and performance out on track. We wish him all the best for the future.
'For Force India, this sport is a team effort and removing one part, even a major one, will not significantly affect our performance. The competitiveness of the team seen in Belgium was a result of hard work in the factory and wind tunnel and we have further developments coming for the final races, so we are confident this momentum can be sustained. We are now looking forward to a strong finish to the season.'
Giancarlo commented, 'I am very grateful to Vijay Mallya for allowing me this opportunity to drive for the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team. It is true that it has always been an ambition to do this, and for Vijay to have allowed it to become a reality is very generous. I hope in my turn I have helped Force India grow up and be on the right path to achieve their own ambitions. They are now a very competitive team and I wish them all the very best.'
A decision regarding the driver of car number 21 will be made in the coming days and no further comment will be made on this front.
Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: Force India (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 14:56
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Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: Bigpip (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 14:58
So who do we put into the car? Liuzzi has to take the drive surely?
Darwin was right!
Jordan > Midland > Spyker > Force India
Darwin was right!
Jordan > Midland > Spyker > Force India
Fisi goes to Ferrari
Posted by: perer (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 14:55
According to Jonathan Noble from autosport,
Fisichella is racing for Ferrari in Monza....
link
Damn it just when there is a race coming up where Force India can score some good points... now we have to hope that Liuzzi and Sutil will perform.
I am still hoping that the whole story isn't true.
Edit.
It is on Autosport now.
link
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:03:14:57:12 by perer.
Fisichella is racing for Ferrari in Monza....
link
Damn it just when there is a race coming up where Force India can score some good points... now we have to hope that Liuzzi and Sutil will perform.
I am still hoping that the whole story isn't true.
Edit.
It is on Autosport now.
link
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:03:14:57:12 by perer.
Re: Fisi goes to Ferrari
Posted by: Bigpip (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 14:59
Story posted here too.
Darwin was right!
Jordan > Midland > Spyker > Force India
Darwin was right!
Jordan > Midland > Spyker > Force India
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: perer (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 15:15
Thank you for sorting it out Bigpip, double threads are unnecessary. I can only hope that Liuzzi is up to it.
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: F1Zooom (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 15:16
Its sad to see Fisi go
But he did a great job and driving for "The Red" is a dream come true
He has given a lot to the FI to be remembered forever
All the best Fisi ... chase your dreams
It was nice of Mallya to let go him so nicely - good show
-----------------------------------
NOW WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO!!!
Oh my god!
oh my god!!
oh my god!!!
Next race is round the corner ......
But he did a great job and driving for "The Red" is a dream come true
He has given a lot to the FI to be remembered forever
All the best Fisi ... chase your dreams
It was nice of Mallya to let go him so nicely - good show
-----------------------------------
NOW WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO!!!
Oh my god!
oh my god!!
oh my god!!!
Next race is round the corner ......
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: Bigpip (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 15:20
Aye. Or do we get one of the drivers who have been pushed out this year? Piquet anyone?
Darwin was right!
Jordan > Midland > Spyker > Force India
Darwin was right!
Jordan > Midland > Spyker > Force India
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: perer (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 15:39
Liuzzi has tested the car, he knows the car... but he hasn't raced for a long time and. Only he is very hungry to drive, plus it is his home race, hopefully that will stimulate him.
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: understeer (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 15:42
Looks like they are not sure about liuzzi, other wise it could be on the same press release. May be Liuzzi has some thing linedup for next year.. may be a williams drive.. and FI would want continuity for 2010 considering sutil is not confirmed yet.
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: FormulaFan (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 15:44
Welcome back to a race seat, Vitantonio!
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: Speky (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 15:58
I hope Sutil kicks his ass for the rest of the season... I am disppointed in Fisichella, surely this is the end of his career now, Ferrari have too many drivers for next year already, and I doubt FI will have him back. Not a bad way to end your career I guess, but is that how Fisichella sees it!?
I'm editing this now that I've had a while to digest what's happened, and feel I should wish Giancarlo good luck for the future, he's nice guy, so although I'm disappointed in him leaving, I wish him all the best.
I still hope that the view he'll have from the Ferrari cockpit will be the rear of Adrian's car though
)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:03:16:20:10 by Speky.
I'm editing this now that I've had a while to digest what's happened, and feel I should wish Giancarlo good luck for the future, he's nice guy, so although I'm disappointed in him leaving, I wish him all the best.
I still hope that the view he'll have from the Ferrari cockpit will be the rear of Adrian's car though
)Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:03:16:20:10 by Speky.
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: Speky (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 15:58
Who are the possible candidates to replace Fisi then...
Anthony Davidson - my preferred choice
Vitantonio Liuzzi - likely replacement
Any other possibilities?
As long as they don't employ Takuma Sato!!!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:03:16:27:58 by Speky.
Anthony Davidson - my preferred choice
Vitantonio Liuzzi - likely replacement
Any other possibilities?
As long as they don't employ Takuma Sato!!!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:03:16:27:58 by Speky.
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: weirdlife (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 16:34
Crap...im highly disappointed...not with FISI but with the situation...Now one of our drivers will need to adjust to the car so monza is out...
Plus FISI is most likely gonna be test driver for ferrari next season...part of the deal...
So is bye bye LUCA baddriver...
Plus FISI is most likely gonna be test driver for ferrari next season...part of the deal...
So is bye bye LUCA baddriver...
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: Bigpip (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 16:47
Ferrari's statement
Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro announces that it has appointed Giancarlo Fisichella to drive car number 3 from now to the end of the 2009 season.
“We have chosen Fisichella because we can expect him to make a valuable contribution in this final part of the season,” commented 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. 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.”
Anyone, other than Raikkonen, Massa, Fisichella, Sutil, Button, Barichello... You get the idea!
Darwin was right!
Jordan > Midland > Spyker > Force India
Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro announces that it has appointed Giancarlo Fisichella to drive car number 3 from now to the end of the 2009 season.
“We have chosen Fisichella because we can expect him to make a valuable contribution in this final part of the season,” commented 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. 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.”
Anyone, other than Raikkonen, Massa, Fisichella, Sutil, Button, Barichello... You get the idea!
Darwin was right!
Jordan > Midland > Spyker > Force India
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: Speky (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 17:06
How come Ferrari didn't pay anything to get him released from his contract?? Surely for such a small team, a reasonable fee could have been agreed between FI and SF...
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: Speky (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 17:07
One thing that is very good after all the recent events.. is that this forum has come alive again after pretty much dead lately 
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: Alianora La Canta (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 19:17
I think Force India would be well-advised to let Tonio Liuzzi be Adrian Sutil's team-mate next race; he knows the car (even having done testing with it today, part of it in Monza-spec), is their assigned reserve driver and has raced in A1GP and Speedcar this year.
My theory on why it wasn't announced in the same release as Giancarlo is that the team may be waiting for the hubbub to fade a bit so that Liuzzi gets his share of the spotlight too.
Speky, I think you may be right about this effectively signalling the last five races of Giancarlo's F1 racing career, unless something strange happens. It is a good way to finish though, and if Giancarlo's reaction to the news is anything to go by, he sees it as rather more than good.
It is something of a setback for Monza, though Adrian is to be dismissed at one's peril. Several times, he's missed out on good results through bad luck and Giancarlo is proof that anyone's luck can turn at the most unexpected yet timely moments.
The message in the press release appears to be that no payment has been agreed yet. Perhaps both teams anticipate that it could be a long negotiation but see no reason why that should stop the transfer from happening.
Finally, I'd like to say I am very pleased at the way Force India have conducted themselves through this week. They've done their best to quiet speculation when it was threatening to get out of control and they've been very graceful in the way they've let Giancarlo go.
My theory on why it wasn't announced in the same release as Giancarlo is that the team may be waiting for the hubbub to fade a bit so that Liuzzi gets his share of the spotlight too.
Speky, I think you may be right about this effectively signalling the last five races of Giancarlo's F1 racing career, unless something strange happens. It is a good way to finish though, and if Giancarlo's reaction to the news is anything to go by, he sees it as rather more than good.
It is something of a setback for Monza, though Adrian is to be dismissed at one's peril. Several times, he's missed out on good results through bad luck and Giancarlo is proof that anyone's luck can turn at the most unexpected yet timely moments.
The message in the press release appears to be that no payment has been agreed yet. Perhaps both teams anticipate that it could be a long negotiation but see no reason why that should stop the transfer from happening.
Finally, I'd like to say I am very pleased at the way Force India have conducted themselves through this week. They've done their best to quiet speculation when it was threatening to get out of control and they've been very graceful in the way they've let Giancarlo go.
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: Alianora La Canta (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 19:18
Oh and Speky... ...you are absolutely right about this week being a great thing for the forum's vibrancy
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: perer (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 21:00
@Alionara, nice so the test has already been done, so it was performed by Liuzzi, he is the best man for the job. Having had Simulator time, test days race experience (A1GP, which is full of dangerous less experienced drivers).
He is an Italian, so this is his home grand prix. Which fortunately is quite an easy track to master.
Sutil will probably be ahead of him though, hopefully his stream of bad luck will end @ Monza, the rule of chance are in favor of it.
He is an Italian, so this is his home grand prix. Which fortunately is quite an easy track to master.
Sutil will probably be ahead of him though, hopefully his stream of bad luck will end @ Monza, the rule of chance are in favor of it.
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: weirdlife (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 21:52
Any news or update on the test...from last week
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: barteks (IP Logged)
Date: 03/09/2009 23:11
Bruno Senna confirmed on his Twitter that Liuzzi will replace Fisichella at Monza
2008 Prediction Champion
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: Jay (IP Logged)
Date: 04/09/2009 06:01
though a sad thing for FI, but as Mallya put it, its once in a life time opportunity, to drive for Ferrari, and more importantly being an italian, and he made sure he didn't want to spoil his party.......good gesture there by Mallya.
all the best to fisico.....and i guess now liuzzi is the next best choice for the remainder of the season.
also regarding the fee to FI, for releasing fisi, i overheard that there were dues to be settled with ferrari and this switch has cleared most of it.....so, not a bad deal for a team with tight budget.
all the best to fisico.....and i guess now liuzzi is the next best choice for the remainder of the season.
also regarding the fee to FI, for releasing fisi, i overheard that there were dues to be settled with ferrari and this switch has cleared most of it.....so, not a bad deal for a team with tight budget.
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: Robert W Dalgleish (IP Logged)
Date: 04/09/2009 12:07
I hope Force India win at Monza, I am not a fan of GCF and seeing the FI car he drove, win at Monza would be nice.
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[b]The Scottish Forums
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[b]The Scottish Forums
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: Jay (IP Logged)
Date: 04/09/2009 12:47
monza has lot of kerbs, while force is good at straight line and clean tracks, so wouldn't it be difficult for force to replicate its performance in spa, which had hardly any kerbs to tackle?
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: Vas (IP Logged)
Date: 04/09/2009 18:55
Fisi move is very intelligent one. He gets 5 races in Ferrari. And a reserve driver status in Ferrari for 2010. Every body thinks Fisi race career will be over in 2009.
But there may be a fine print in it. Most of the time, test drivers are given a clause in aggreement through which they are allowed to leave if they find a driver seat at some other team.
After driving for Ferrari (and if posts some good results) Fisi Market demand will go up. Knowing 3 more teams are likely to join, it(driving for Ferrari) may be a wise move who knows. I dont think Fisi wants to terminate his career like this.
Season Number 6 for :: starf1 :-)
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:04:19:54:06 by Vas.
But there may be a fine print in it. Most of the time, test drivers are given a clause in aggreement through which they are allowed to leave if they find a driver seat at some other team.
After driving for Ferrari (and if posts some good results) Fisi Market demand will go up. Knowing 3 more teams are likely to join, it(driving for Ferrari) may be a wise move who knows. I dont think Fisi wants to terminate his career like this.
Season Number 6 for :: starf1 :-)
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:04:19:54:06 by Vas.
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: Alianora La Canta (IP Logged)
Date: 05/09/2009 14:31
weirdlife, all I know from the test is what I wrote in my previous comment. We'll have to wait for the coming races to know what, exactly, the new parts and settings will be.
Re: Fisi to Ferrari
Posted by: anthonydw (IP Logged)
Date: 05/09/2009 18:20
I am very happy for Fisico..when life gives you an opportunity like this, one must take it. both FI and Fisi have conducted themselves very well and i respect them a lot for it. I too was dissappointed when i heard of Fisi leaving as FI seem to be very competitive at the moment and because Fisi has done a lot of good work with this team.
I wish him all the best and good results in the next 5 races so that he can get a shot at a race drive next year. Fisi is still incredibly fast when he needs to be and is a really nice guy and F1 need guys like him.
I think Luizzi will get the seat for FI as well. I think he will do well. he has been out of F1 racing for two years which not a long time unlike Badoer.
I wish him all the best and good results in the next 5 races so that he can get a shot at a race drive next year. Fisi is still incredibly fast when he needs to be and is a really nice guy and F1 need guys like him.
I think Luizzi will get the seat for FI as well. I think he will do well. he has been out of F1 racing for two years which not a long time unlike Badoer.