Luca Badoer confident of filling Schumacher's shoes

Italian Luca Badoer is up to the challenge after being handed a race drive by Ferrari when Michael Schumacher cancelled plans for a temporary return to Formula One.

Seven-times world champion Schumacher was due to replace the injured Felipe Massa but had to pull out with a neck problem, handing an opportunity to the team's experienced test driver.

"I have prepared myself to be ready under any circumstances just as I've been doing in previous years," Badoer said on the team's official website, Ferrari.com.

"I've been in this business for quite a while. After Felipe's accident I intensified my program and I'm sure I won't have any problems."