Ferrari confirms Badoer leaving as test driver

Ferrari has confirmed that 2010 was Luca Badoer’s last year as test driver.

The almost 40-year-old Italian has been in the role since the late 90s, reportedly accumulating more than 130,000 kilometres at Fiorano in Ferrari’s F1 cars during that period.

The Maranello based team confirmed Badoer’s departure in a press release about Ferrari’s involvement in the Bologna International Motor Show.

Ferrari said Badoer’s demonstration of a 2009 car at the show "will be his farewell to an amazing thirteen year career as a Ferrari test driver".

In the same F60 last year, Badoer was heavily criticised for his lack of competitiveness when he replaced the injured Felipe Massa in the Brazilian’s race cockpit.

Badoer raced 58 other times for minor Italian teams throughout the 90s but never scored a point.

Ferrari announced last month that 21-year-old Frenchman Jules Bianchi has been signed as a test driver for 2011.

Also contracted in test roles are Giancarlo Fisichella and Marc Gene. Ferrari has not said which driver will be the official F1 reserve in 2011.