Fisichella Confident of Beating Alonso

Italian Giancarlo Fisichella is confident of beating his teammate Fernando Alonso next year as they race for the Renault team.

Fisichella, who drove for the Sauber team during the 2004 season, is returning to Renault for 2005, having driven for the then named Benetton squad until 2001. The Roman will be partnered by the highly rated Alonso, who Fisichella believes will be his strongest teammate to date.

"I go back to Renault with pride, hope and confidence: I realise I have a very strong teammate, perhaps the toughest I've ever had, and who has the advantage of knowing this car well," Fisichella told Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.

"But I've always beaten my teammates. I don't think that the fact that his manager is also the team boss will have any effect. I know that our cars will be identical, as [Flavio] Briatore wanted me back at all costs."

Fisichella drove the Renault R24 for the first time on Wednesday in testing at the Barcelona circuit, but had a slow debut and finished nearly two seconds off the pace set by Juan Pablo Montoya in the McLaren.

"I drove with a set-up that isn't suited to my driving style: it was a mixture of the set-ups used by Alonso and [Jarno] Trulli," he added. "Fernando uses the steering wheel in an aggressive way, while I'm much more gentle.

"With the right set-up I'll be able to understand the potential of this car, but I already know that we will be competitive. I want to win the World Championship."