22 November: The Ferrari
Formula 1 team announced today the signing of Marc Gene' as their
second test driver alongside Luca Badoer for the 2005 season.
Marc Gene' made his debut in Formula 1 with the Minardi team in 1999. After 2
seasons he signed with Williams as a test driver with the aim of becoming a
regular driver with them.
He raced for Williams at the Italian Grand Prix in 2003 and at the French and
British Grands Prix in 2004 as replacement for Ralf Schumacher. Williams
however didn't seem to be impressed by Gene' and replaced him with Antonio
Pizzonia for the German, Hungarian, Belgian and Italian races.
With the second driver for Williams in 2005 yet to be announced, it appears
that Gene' wasn't on the list and hence his decision to move to Ferrari.
Ferrari will benefit greatly from this signing as Gene' spent 4 years testing
for Williams.
The Ferrari statement read:
"Ferrari announces that it has signed an agreement with the driver
Marc Gene' who will join Scuderia Ferrari as from today, for the 2005 season,
as a test driver, working alongside test driver Luca Badoer."
