Ferrari to keep Badoer for Spa

The Italian Ferrari test driver, who struggled for pace throughout the European Grand Prix weekend after 10 years out of racing at the highest level, was classified 17th a lap down.

But the 38-year-old did achieve his goal of finishing the race, which he had branded a test, and recorded a best lap of 1m40.590s - 1.907s slower than Timo Glock's fastest lap.

Domenicali said that despite Badoer's performance in Spain, he believed that the 1992 International F3000 champion could achieve much better, given time.

"First of all it was important for him to finish," Domenicali told the BBC. "It was difficult you know... We need to stay cool and calm and we know that it was important for Luca to finish. I respect that.

"I'm sure that we have seen a Luca that has not really shown up, but he has real potential. Apart from the fact he was racing for the first time in a long time, also from a psychological point of view the pressure on him was very high, even if we didn't create it.

"We will speak together. I think we will discuss it tonight but I think it is important to keep up Luca because he is a real team player and this is important in Ferrari."

Asked whether he believed Badoer would be in the car again for Spa, Domenicali replied: "Yes, I think so."

Badoer described himself happy with a performance that included two spins and drive-through penalty after he appeared to drive over the pit exit line to allow Romain Grosjean through for position.

"I'm very happy because we have arrived at a point that we fixed when we decided I would take Felipe's place," he said afterwards. "So this is the first step. I drove, drove, drove, drove, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. I did actually a big start and at the third corner I was 14th, and then a Renault kicked my ass.

"So I lost the position from that. Otherwise it was possible to have a completely different race.

"For me it was important to finish the race and get a good feeling with the car."