Badoer: No regrets over Ferrari drive

The Italian, however, was critical of the media, which he reckons has only made his life harder.

"I'm very happy. Apart from the press. The only problem for me, and for the team, is the press," Badoer told reporters after qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix.

"Ninety percent have written really bad things. And so for me there is no point because I don't read the newspapers, so everybody can read what they want.

"But the people around can be influenced by this, so I don't like it for this. Apart from the press I am very happy at this moment, because I drive for Ferrari and I drive in F1. I'm improving every time and I know how difficult it is.

"Other drivers came to me and said 'we know how difficult it is'. And so for me it is really a good period, a good moment, press apart."

Badoer, who qualified last for the second race in a row, admitted he was frustrated by the difficult position he is in, and he feels he would have done much better in the past.

"It is very frustrating, because in a way it was my dream to drive for Ferrari," he said. "But if I had this pleasure two years ago it would have been a completely different situation because two years ago I was driving so much the car. The comparison with the race drivers was very close, so it was the perfect solution.

"Unfortunately you can't choose everything in life and this opportunity came in the worst period for me because it is 10 months since I last drove an F1 car.

"Anyway I am very happy to have this chance, even though the performances are not very good. But I am sure if I have the possibility to do more races, I'm sure that I can improve."

The Ferrari driver, whose position will be evaluated after tomorrow's race, is convinced he would perform significantly better at Monza if he keeps the seat.

"For me Monza is special. It is my home track and I have the lap record there in Formula 1. And like Mugello and Fiorano, it is the track that I have spent the most time in my life. For sure in Monza I will have the big step that everybody is waiting for."