Fisichella: Renault was My Choice

Giancarlo Fisichella said he wanted to return to Renault instead of signing for Williams at his own will, denying he was forced out from a deal with the Grove-based team as part of a political game involving Jaguar-driver Mark Webber and Renault boss Flavio Briatore.

Some press reports have suggested Williams, a team that will lose both of their current drivers at the end of the season, wanted to sign Webber and Fisichella for next year, but Briatore didn't let this happen, since he was also looking to replace Jarno Trulli with one of them.

Webber insisted he wanted to go to Williams, but now Fisichella also said signing for Renault was his own choice.

"I made the choice you know, so I'm confident to be quick at Renault," he told Hungarian website A5.hu in Budapest before Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix.

Fisichella has already been driving for Renault - then called Benetton - between 1998 and 2001, and although he had to leave the team to give way to Jarno Trulli after those four seasons, he now says it didn't leave a bitter taste in his mouth.

Asked if it felt strange to return to a team that has let him go, he said: "A bit yes, but if they offered me a chance to drive for them again, it is very good, because it means I was doing a good job in the past. It means they consider Giancarlo Fisichella one of the best drivers in Formula One."

31-year old Fisichella is widely regarded as one of the most talented drivers on the grid, and even though he didn't have the chance to work for a top team until now, he made it clear right from the start that he intended to use Sauber as a stepping-stone in his career.

Briatore admitted last year he wanted to build the Renault team around Fernando Alonso - just as he did with Michael Schumacher before - but Fisichella is not concerned he will have to play second fiddle to the young Spaniard.

"This is not important," he said. "I have a very good friendship with the engineers, the mechanics, and they're still the same as a few years ago. This is a benefit, so if the car is good, I can do well."

He also expressed his confidence in beating Alonso next season. "It's gonna be easy for him at the beginning, but it's important to beat your teammate. I'm quite confident. I want to win a few races and fight for the Championship. I hope I will be able to do that."

Fisichella, a veteran of 136 Grands Prix, has only one race win to his name so far, which he scored last year in Brazil.