Fisichella proud to make Ferrari bow at home

Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella said on Monday that it will be a proud moment when he lines up for this weekend's Monza Grand Prix in a Ferrari.

The 36-year-old realised a life-long dream last week when he switched from Force India to the Italian constructor for the final five races of the season as the replacement for injured Brazilian Felipe Massa.

"I had as good as abandoned the dream of climbing into a Ferrari but instead I will race one at Monza," he told Sky Italia TV.

"Ferrari's choice fills me with pride and joy and I'll try to give my all to repay them.

"Driving a Ferrari at Monza will be incredible. I will have much pressure but I'll certainly give it a good go.

"It will be a mind-boggling weekend and I can't wait to begin."

Fischella has won three Grand Prix races during a career that began in 1996 with Minardi.

His first win came in 2003 with Jordan and he repeated the feat twice with Renault, in 2005 and 2006.

He came close to a fourth win with Force India just over a week ago when he drove a previously slow car splendidly to finish second at Spa.