Fisichella: new phase

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Teams

• Force India

Drivers

• Giancarlo Fisichella

Giancarlo Fisichella has said that he is targeting a race seat at Force India next season.

The Italian veteran is now a free agent after Renault confirmed Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jr. for 2008, and one of several candidates Vijay Mallya's team are considering to partner Adrian Sutil.

Fisichella tested with the Silverstone-based outfit at Jerez last week and has now admitted to Autosprint: "My objective is to race with Force India."

He continued: "I wouldn't have gone through a shoot-out otherwise, because it's always something very tense. All the drivers at Jerez were there for that, let's not kid ourselves.

"Even Ralf Schumacher arrived two days earlier, went often around the track to see the trajectories and he was in contact with the pits. He never did that at Toyota. No one came to Jerez to be a tourist or for a stroll in F1."

Lament

Fisichella believes that he is good enough for a place on the F1 starting grid next season and also lamented the manner of his departure from Renault.

"If it turns out that way then it's a shame because I think I still deserve a place in F1," he continued.

"I would have expected a little more consideration from Renault, because in three years I contributed towards winning two World Championships.

"However I don't consider the opportunity with Force India a stopgap, but a new phase in my career."

The 34-year-old is aware that a drive with Force India is anything but a given.

Test role

He revealed that he would also be open to a role as a test driver, but reiterated his desire to remain in F1.

On the possibility of a race seat he said: "That's not a given, I would consider offers to be a test driver. At that point it depends on who comes up with the offer. There are front-running teams with that position still open.

"For a decision like that there is time. I want to race in F1 and I feel I can still do well. I know the first races would be difficult, with getting back to qualifying in the last rows, but I can see great potential in this team, they don't lack financial resources.

The Roman clearly believes he is the right man to partner the highly-rated Sutil and said that his future should be resolved in the near future.

"I don't think the driver will be chosen based on a possible budget he might bring. They told me they want an experienced driver to team up with Sutil," he added.

"Well, I'm here for that. Before starting I signed a contract-option as per usual in this occasions. I will have an answer before Christmas."