Fisichella Aims to Win Again

"I will do everything I can to win the race," the Italian told reporters on Wednesday. "We are in good shape. We are here to win."

Fisichella won in Melbourne earlier this month and Spanish teammate Fernando Alonso finished third to give Formula One a shot in the arm after Ferrari's domination last year.

Seven-times World Champion Michael Schumacher failed to finish in Australia and will be anxious to record his fourth win at the Sepang circuit but Fisichella said Renault would again be the team to beat in blazing hot Malaysia.

"Sepang is a better circuit than Australia," he said. "For sure, the best cars will be in front and we believe we are among them. We can definitely do well here."

Fisichella, whose victory in Australia was his second in 142 races, said Ferrari and McLaren would be Renault's main threats and added that tyre preservation will be a crucial factor in Sunday's race.

New rules require drivers to qualify and complete the race on the same set of tyres.

"In Australia the tyres were fantastic," he said. "I did my best lap time on the 55th lap with just two laps left. Malaysia will be more severe for the tyres because track temperature is much higher. We will need to save the tyres to win the race."