Badoer to drive 2009 Ferrari in Italy

Ferrari reserve driver Luca Badoer will be stepping into the team's current race car in Italy ahead of his return to Formula One this weekend. With an in-season testing ban currently imposed, Ferrari's longest-serving driver will be able to drive the car for a promotional event.

Badoer was called up by Ferrari when Michael Schumacher, who was due to replace the injured Felipe Massa, was forced to pull out due to neck injuries; despite being one of the Scuderia's test drivers alongside Marc Gené, Badoer last drove the F60 in tests before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and will therefore have to adapt to the newly-updated car in Valencia's first free practice session on Friday.

However, the Italian - who, at 38, will be F1's oldest driver in the field at the European Grand Prix - will be driving the car for 'promotional purposes' at the Fiorano track on Monday and Tuesday, Ferrari confirmed on its website.

Source: GP Update