Force India releases Giancarlo Fisichella to join Ferrari for rest of Formula 1 season

Force India releases Fisichella to join Ferrari

MARANELLO, Italy — Force India has agreed to release Giancarlo Fisichella to join Ferrari for the rest of the Formula One season.

Ferrari has been anxious to find a better replacement for the injured Felipe Massa after the team’s longtime test driver, Luca Badoer, qualified last and finished no better than 14th in his first two races since stepping in for the Brazilian.

Ferrari’s home race — the Italian Grand Prix in Monza — is Sept. 13.