Maranello, Italy - Italian Giancarlo Fisichella is to drive for Ferrari for the rest of the 2009 Formula 1 season after being released Thursday from his contract with Force India.

Fisichella, 36, steps in for test driver Luca Badoer who disappointed in his last two races after replacing the injured Felipe Massa.

Ferrari confirmed the move Thursday after Force India said he was being released from his contract which was due to expire at the end of the season.

"For any Italian driver, a Ferrari race seat is a long-held dream and for Giancarlo it was no exception," team principal Vijay Mallya said.

"No-one should stand in the way of this. The agreement will secure Fisichella's long-term future with Ferrari and it would be incorrect to jeopardise this.

Fisichella will make his Ferrari debut at the Italian Grand Prix on September 13.

"It has always been an ambition," he said of joining the team.

Fisichella finished a sensationsl second behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen at the Belgium Grand Prix last Sunday, giving Force India their first points in their second season in F1.

Force India are yet to name a replacement for Fisichella but test driver Vitantonio Liuzzi could be a candidate to team up with Germany's Adrian Sutil. (dpa)