In the wake of the news that he will drive the second Ferrari at Valencia later this month, Luca Badoer has spoken of the realisation of a lifelong dream... to race for Ferrari.

The Italian admits to being in two minds following the announcement. On the one hand he feels sorry for his great friend who has had to renounce the idea of getting back on track, while on the other he's delighted that a lifelong dream has come true.

"Since I've been a child I always wanted to race for Ferrari and now I've got the possibility to make this desire come true," he told the Ferrari website. "I'm really sorry for Michael, because I know how much he wanted to return: I'm saying that as his friend and his fan. We've been in contact during the last days and we drove karts together at Lonato last week. So I followed him very closely in this attempt. Last night he called me a couple of minutes after Stefano Domenicali had told me the news and I know that he'll always be ready to give me some advice and he will shout for me."

For Badoer, the F60 is not completely new. While he hasn't had the opportunity to drive the car thousands of miles as he used to in previous years before the testing ban, he has at least had the chance of driving the car in anger. Furthermore, from a physical point of view the Italian has always kept fit.

"Although this year's rules see a drastically reduced mileage for us test drivers, I have prepared myself in order to be ready for any circumstances, just as I've been doing the last years too; I've been in this business for quite a while. After Felipe's accident I intensified my programme and I'm sure that I won't have any problems from this point of view."

The 38-year-old was keen to conclude the interview with three special dedications: "My first thought goes to Felipe," he said. "I was shocked about his accident and I'm so glad that the situation is getting better so quickly: I wish him all the best and to get back on the track as soon as possible. I also want to thank Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali for the faith they put in me and for the honour that they are handing the car over to me: I will give it my best for them and for all the Ferrari fans, who - and I'm sure about that - will give me their support."