Fisichella inspired by new contract
Giancarlo Fisichella is aiming for victory in this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix to celebrate a new Renault contract by proving he can step out of Fernando Alonso’s shadow.
The Italian has been second best to younger team-mate Alonso in his two seasons with Renault but has been given a golden opportunity to step up as team leader in 2007.
Alonso will be a McLaren driver by then but Fisichella is assured of another season at Renault after signing a new deal in the build up to Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.
Now Fisichella wants to prove to the team he is capable of leading a world championship challenge by winning this weekend.
He said: “It is great. It was my target to be one more year with the team and I am just really confident about the rest of the season. It is a great feeling with the team, the atmosphere is good.
“This is one of my favourite circuits, I did quite well in the past. I never got on the higher step of the podium but I think I have a chance to do that.
“I have been on the podium four times and scored a lot of points here. We have got a great package to do well this weekend.
“I feel very confident and very comfortable with the circuit and the package we have. We are positive to score a great result on Sunday and get on the top of the podium.”
Fisichella’s challenge to Alonso has been hit by bad luck several times over the past 18 months but he hopes his final 10 races as the Spaniard’s team-mates will give him the chance to prove a point.
He said: “For the rest of the season I just want to fight with him in the races and score a lot of points. The first part of the season has been a bit up and down. I had a few problems in qualifying. I did my best anyway and I have got a chance for the future.”
Another driver hoping to get back to winning ways this weekend is last year’s winner Kimi Raikkonen, who has yet to stand on the top step of the podium this season.
The Finn has been hampered by a disappointing McLaren and concedes he arrives in Canada with low expectations.
He said: “After last year everybody from the team was expecting us to be fighting for the championship and winning races but we are not in such a strong position as we were last year.
“The level of confidence is not as high as it was last year coming to this race. We still have a pretty good car so we just need to do the best that we can.”
