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| Fisichella secured Force India's first F1 points [AFP] |
Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella will drive for Force India in Italy next week, the Indian team's boss Vijay Mallya said, rejecting speculation he would move to Ferrari for the champions' home circuit at Monza.
Fisichella finished second behind Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday to record the team's first points in 30 starts.
The Italian has been strongly linked with a move to Ferrari, who are set to decide whether Luca Badoer will continue as a stand-in for injured Brazilian Felipe Massa.
Force India's commercial director Ian Phillips had told Radio 5 Live on Monday that he expected an approach from Ferrari "in the next 24 hours or so".
Scotched
However, Force India boss Vijay Mallya scotched the speculation on the team's website late on Monday and said Fisichella had confirmed he would remain a Force India driver at Monza.
"Fisichella has himself clarified that he has 'not received any invitation from Ferrari' and went on to add that 'he was looking forward to driving the Force India car at the Monza GP,'" Mallya said.
Fisichella's assurances had come during a news conference via telephone shortly after the race.
"There has been absolutely no change whatsoever on this front since yesterday and we look forward to Fisichella scorching the tracks at Monza."
Mallya went on to say that Phillips had not been authorised to speak to the media on behalf of the team.
"His comments should therefore be ignored."
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