Massa said I was right choice, beams Fisichella

By Mark Meadows

New Ferrari driver Giancarlo Fisichella beamed from ear to ear at his "official unveiling" on Monday and said he was especially pleased to have received Felipe Massa's full backing.

Fisichella, who has left Force India to drive for Ferrari in the last five races of 2009, will fulfil a life-long dream when he steps into one of the famous red cars at his home GP this weekend.

Massa, whose previous replacement Luca Badoer was dropped after two poor races, is not scheduled to race again until 2010 after suffering a fractured skull at July's Hungarian GP 'When you want the car back, come and take it' - Fisichella .

Fisichella said: "I spoke to Massa on the phone, he said he was happy for me, and that I was the right choice.

"I said I was really sorry about what happened to him and to recover quickly. 'When you want the car back, come and take it because this is your car. I hope to achieve what you would have', I said."

Fisichella will also be Ferrari's reserve driver in 2010. He added: "At 36, I'd lost hope, but obviously you never say never."

Fisichella's seat at Force India will be taken by reserve driver Vitantonio Liuzzi, who last raced in F1 with Toro Rosso in 2007. His best finish that year was sixth in a wet Chinese GP.

He also raced four times for Red Bull in 2005 before switching to Toro Rosso in 2006.

Team principal Vijay Mallya said: "Force India is now in a very competitive position and we need a driver who can maintain this momentum 'This is my chance to show people what I can do' - Liuzzi .

"This will be the chance for Tonio to demonstrate that he has the commitment, speed and professionalism."

Force India scored its first points at the Belgian GP on August 30 when Fisichella finished second after starting on pole.

Liuzzi said: "It's unfortunate that it came about as a result of Felipe's accident but this my chance to show people what I can do." - Reuters