Autoblog UK

It's a dream come true for Giancarlo Fisichella. With immediate effect, he will be Ferrari's number two driver and his first race for Scuderia Ferrari will be at, of all places, the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza in his native country Italy. After days of speculation, the issue has finally been clarified as to who will stand in for the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari, after the two poor showings by Luca Badoer in Valencia and at Spa-Francorchamps.

It has been Fisichella's long-held dream since 1996, beginning with Minardi, then Jordan and Benetton, back to Jordan, then to Sauber, Renault and finally Force India. His sensational second place in last Sunday's Belgium Grand Prix was probably the clincher for the Ferrari bosses; to give the number two driving spot to the father of two until the end of the season. 36-year-old Fisichella will contest his 225th Grand Prix in Monza – and it will surely be a very special race for him. After driving for Ferrari in the remaining five races this season, Fisichella will be their official reserve driver in 2010.