Ferrari to decide by Wednesday whether Badoer remains as Massa replacement

Ferrari to decide on Massa substitute by Wednesday

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium — Ferrari will decide by Wednesday whether Luca Badoer will remain Felipe Massa’s replacement.

Team principal Stefano Domenicali made the announcement Sunday after the Belgian Grand Prix.

Badoer qualified last for the second consecutive Formula One race, while teammate Kimi Raikkonen clinched the Italians’ first win of the season following two straight top-three performances.

The Ferrari test driver has been under pressure since he was selected after a 10-year absence from F1 to replace the injured Massa.

“With regard with what we are going to do for the next races we will tell you in the next three days,” Domenicali said. “We are going to take all into consideration, it depends how the medical checkup that Felipe will do tomorrow (goes) and then we will put on the table all the different things. And then we will make a decision.”

Massa arrived in Miami on Sunday for medical tests to determine just how long he may be sidelined after an accident almost cost the Brazilian his life at last month’s Hungarian GP.

“(Felipe) was very happy, he cheered with us,” Domenicali said. “It was for us such a great day after such a difficult season, such a dramatic season. It’s what the team deserved.”

Domenicali hinted that Badoer’s time as Massa’s replacement could be coming to an end.

“For sure Ferrari doesn’t want to be last at the race. We want to be stronger as a team,” he said.

But Badoer was confident that he could impress on his home circuit, where he has driven more laps than anyone else as a Ferrari test driver.

“In Monza, I think for sure I start with the idea to get in the points range,” said the 38-year-old Italian, who has never finished in the points for a record 50 races.

Force India driver Giancarlo Fisichella, who finished second Sunday, and about every other available Italian driver has been linked with Ferrari, which also has Spanish reserve driver Marc Gene at its disposal.

Fired drivers Sebastien Bourdais and Nelson Piquet Jr. are the only others who have driven this season and could be ready to move straight into the car.

Domenicali faced questions about two-time world champion Fernando Alonso joining from Renault next season, which also has put Raikkonen’s place in doubt despite the Finn being contracted for 2010.

“I haven’t been doing much differently,” Raikkonen said. “There have been rumors almost every year since I’ve been in Formula One, so I don’t care about it. I don’t make the decisions in the end, so we’ll see what happens.”