Briatore Hopes Trulli Exit will Motivate Alonso

Renault boss Flavio Briatore says the decision to replace Jarno Trulli will help motivate the French squad next season.

Briatore believes Renault already have a kingpin in Fernando Alonso, who is the youngest driver to win a Grand Prix, and hope the acquisition of Italian Giancarlo Fisichella will boost the Spaniard's motivation next season.

"It was a very tough decision (to replace Trulli) because Renault is competitive thanks to Trulli," Briatore told the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper. "He is a great test driver, very sensible and intelligent. But we had to act not to fall into a routine.

"Jarno and Fernando are friends. We need competition within the team in order to improve the performance, in order to motivate Alonso, who at 23 is our man for the future."

Trulli, the only driver other than World Champion Michael Schumacher to have won a race this season, is expected to join Ralf Schumacher at Toyota next year. The Italian has been managed by Briatore since he was racing in Formula Three, but the Renault boss believes it was the right time to part ways.

"I have peace of mind over Trulli: I started managing him when he was racing in F3 in the German championship, we have been together for 10 years. Now he must go on alone. He's a fine driver and a brave man," Briatore added.

Fisichella, 31, will return to the team to replace his compatriot after driving for the Jordan and Sauber teams. The Roman had driven for the French squad from 1998 to 2001 when it was called Benetton, but despite scoring a maiden win with Jordan last year, he never had a competitive car.

Briatore believes returning to Renault will give Fisichella the opportunity to finally fight for the title.

"What we are giving Fisichella is the chance of his life," he added. "Next year we expect to be fighting for the title and he will play an important role."