Fisichella hoping to stay at Renault

The Italian's option with the French car manufacturer is up for renewal in September and Fisichella is bullish about his chances of remaining on board for a final season in F1.

"In September I will know my future at Renault," said Fisichella. "I believe and I hope I will stay one more year with them.

"They promised me to have a competitive car to fight for the championship this year and unfortunately it is not like that. We have been working very hard all season. I did my best and so for that I hope to stay one more year with them. I have a good feeling for that."

Fisichella said he was not bothered about who is teammate is, with Heikki Kovalainen expected to remain for another year. World champion Fernando Alonso has also been linked with a return as question marks emerge about his future at McLaren.

"At least with Heikki there is a fantastic friendship. I am happy to work with him. There is a rumour that Fernando can come back here, but even with him I have a very good friendship.

"I have a good feeling with every driver. There are not a lot of drivers around because most of them are already fixed in the team."

When asked whether it was realistic to suggest Alonso could return, Fisichella said: "For me it is quite difficult, very difficult, but you never know."

Fisichella's desire to remain at the team comes despite him predicting a tough end to the season for the team now that their focus has switched to their 2008 car.

"The development on the 2007 car is still going ahead but not at 100 percent," he said. "Already the team is working on the 2008 car, so for the rest of the season it is going to be difficult for us to score points and especially to get on the podium."