Fisichella hits back at Ecclestone

Speaking in an interview on his official Formula One website earlier this week, Ecclestone said that both Fisichella and Ralf Schumacher had under performed in recent years and should seriously consider retiring rather than contemplating a move to Force India.

Ecclestone said: "Both have been for quite a time in decent teams and should have performed better than they had.

"They ought to give very serious consideration whether it makes sense to move into a less competitive environment. Maybe if they change teams, they'll get a bit of a wake-up call."

Those comments have not gone down well with Fisichella, however, who claims that he has in fact done as well as could be expected in recent years - and is showing his passion for carrying on by testing for Force India next week .

Writing on his own website, the Italian took a cheeky swipe at Ecclestone in an open letter to F1's commercial boss.

"I read with interest your interview in Auto Moto und Sport, faithfully published by your own website," said Fisichella. "You are the father of Formula One and like a father you have talked about your children, including me.

"I wanted to remind you dear daddy, I mean dear Bernie, that I am the one who won the first Grand Prix in Melbourne in 2005 with Renault and therefore I was the one who first discovered the R25 as a winning car.

"In the two seasons I spent alongside Alonso, in full agreement with the strategies of my team, I have contributed to two constructors' titles, taking home the fourth place in the drivers' championship, just like (Felipe) Massa this year.

"Given the circumstances I believe I could not do any better. In 2007, Renault promised me a championship winning car, but this has not been the case and for this I did not get demoralized.

"Next week, in fact, I will bring my enthusiasm and my experience to Force India, a young team with an "old heart" just like Giancarlo Fisichella who has still some talent to show!"