Sep.1 (GMM) If Giancarlo Fisichella puts his signature on a five-race deal to finish the 2009 season with Ferrari, he is likely to then stay with the Maranello based team next year and beyond as test driver.
The news means that not only does Luca Badoer face imminently losing his opportunity to race in injured Felipe Massa's race boots, but his long tenure as test driver dating back to the late nineties might also be over.The suggestion is that Tonio Liuzzi is set to move into the Force India race seat full time in 2010, and immediately if Fisichella's Ferrari switch is completed ahead of the Italian grand prix."There is a lot of noise around about this," Liuzzi, currently Force India's test driver but reportedly already with a race contract for 2010, told GPWeek."For sure regarding the rumours I hope they are right. I need to drive as soon as possible because I am dying without racing. There is a high chance that something could happen (for Monza)."It also emerges that Liuzzi, 28, is scheduled to conduct a straightline test in the Mercedes-powered VJM02 prior to the Italian grand prix.However, it is believed that the Monza reshuffle will occur depending on the outcome of medical tests currently being undergone by Massa in Miami.Should the Brazilian get clearance to return to his seat sooner rather than later, Ferrari may be content to simply keep Badoer in the number 3 car for now.It is believed that, according to a source close to his race engineer Rob Smedley, one test on Massa has already been completed, and the results were more positive than expected.Referring to Badoer, team boss Stefano Domenicali confirmed at Spa last Sunday: "We will take a few days to evaluate his immediate future, also based on what Felipe's recovery time might be."
