Force India agrees to release Fisichella

New Delhi:

Force India has agreed to release Giancarlo Fisichella who earned the team's first podium finish in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix and the Italian will join Ferrari, sources said on Thursday.

Although speculation was rife for last few days, sources in the know of things told PTI that Fisichella's manager Enrico Zanarini approached Vijay Mallya yesterday to inform him about the Ferrari offer.

Fisichella said he had been offered a much wider role in the Ferrari team and a long term position there. The offer is not just to temporarily replace Luca Badoer.

"Fisichella said it is not for just the remaining five races of the season that Ferrari approached him, he will be made their brand ambassador," the source said.

"Keeping Force India's excellent relationship with Fisichella in mind, Force India has decided to release him without any financial consideration," the source added.