Fisi allays Force fears

Fisichella: Unconcerned

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Giancarlo Fisichella insists he has no concerns over his future at Force India despite the team's recent link-up with McLaren.

Ron Dennis' McLaren team have agreed a five-year partnership with Force India which will see the squad owned by Indian billionaire Dr Vijay Mallya supplied with Mercedes engines and technical support from next season.

Neither Fisichella nor team-mate Adrian Sutil scored a point for Force India in the team's debut season, but Mallya confirmed both would be retained for 2009 at last month's Chinese Grand Prix.

However, the deal with McLaren has given way to speculation that Dennis could have influence over Force India's driver line-up, with long-term McLaren tester Pedro de la Rosa and young Scot Paul di Resta believed to be in the frame.

The 35-year-old maintains his seat is not under threat.

"I originally signed a two-year contract which was reviewed in September to incorporate the McLaren deal," Fisichella told the official F1 website.

"The team offered me a better car and a different package. I accepted their proposal and both sides signed the new document between Singapore and China.

"This is why Dr Mallya made the announcement in Shanghai.

"The only thing I know is that in September we were told that Pedro could test and we could not say before it was made official so I was not at all surprised.

"As for the rest - I am not really interested in F1 gossip."

The former Benetton, Jordan and Minardi driver added: "The partnership is our biggest step towards finding competitiveness in the future.

"Vijay (Mallya) is building on a solid platform and going forward, so that Adrian and I are given a real chance to perform."