Fisichella: Alonso exit good for me

Alonso eclipsed Fisichella during the past two seasons, clinching the drivers' titles while the Italian only managed to score one win each year.

But the Roman driver reckons his chances of winning his first title will be boosted by Alonso's move to rivals McLaren.

"It is good for me," Fisichella told reporters during the Renault launch. "It is good to see all the people concentrate. There is a big motivation because now we want to win even without Fernando.

"They are pushing night and day to build a good car and I am pushing too. I am really pushing on the dream, on the preparation."

Fisichella, who will be partnered by Finn rookie Heikki Kovalainen, says he will begin his third season at the Renault team as the "spiritual leader".

But the Italian claims Renault will give him and Kovalainen the same treatment.

"I feel probably like a spiritual leader because I have more experience, as this is my third year in the team," he added. "But there is not a number one in the team at the moment. I just feel happy and confident for the start of the season.

"Like the last couple of years, I felt a good behaviour and good potential from the new package. We just need to run a little bit more, to put some more miles on the engine and the gearbox, and see where we are compared to other people.

"I think next week there are lots of team in Valencia and we will see where we are."

Despite his last two disappointing seasons, the 34-year-old is upbeat about his chances for 2007, and he reckons the new R27 car is already showing good promise.

"Of course this is a good opportunity," he added. "As I told you, I feel strong mentally and physically. I am confident and feel happy to start the season.

"As the third year in the team, I feel very comfortable with them and as I told you, last week I drove four days the new car and there is a good potential. I felt straightaway that there was a good behaviour.

"We need to work a lot for the reliability and even for the performance, but we are already on the right direction."