Fisichella predicts stronger 2007 season

Giancarlo Fisichella is convinced that he will be a much-improved driver next year as he bids to make the most of the departure of Fernando Alonso from Renault

The Italian has raced in the shadow of Alonso for the past two seasons, and although there have been days when he has looked a match for his teammate, too often he has been unable to match the pace or the results of the world champion.

But Fisichella is convinced that his experience of working with Renault will finally pay dividends in 2007 - providing the team can get to grips with the switch to Bridgestone tyres over the winter.

"It is going to be my third with the team, which is really important," said Fisichella, who won the Malaysian Grand Prix this year.

"I have got everything comfortable for me now. After three years in the team you feel so good straightaway, you find with your engineer the good set-up and now I know much more the method of the work is in Renault.

"So next year is going to be easier for me, I am sure."

Fisichella hopes that the team's strengths from the last two years, where they started each campaign with the fastest and most reliable cars, will continue next season.

"We just need to build straightaway a good and reliable car, as we did this year and last year. But it is going to be more difficult because we will be using different tyres.

"So to develop the car during the winter testing is going to be very important. We want to do a great job and to do lots of mileage with the Bridgestone tyres."