Fisichella: No Regrets over Renault Move

Sauber boss said he rated Fisichella, who drove for him in 2004, extremely highly but the Italian had suffered a blow to his reputation since he teamed up with Spanish title favourite Fernando Alonso.

"I have to say I think it was a mistake for him to go to Renault," said Sauber. "Why? Because, after one year with Sauber, he had an excellent reputation - but who wants him now? And I'm convinced he's doing a better job than his results would have us all believe."

Fisichella, however, says having won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix from pole position already justified his decision to leave Sauber.

"I had a great at Sauber and Peter is a fantastic person, but I have no regrets," Fisichella said on his website.

"If I had stayed there I would not have scored the pole position and win in Australia and would not have contributed to Renault's leading position in the Constructors' Championship."

Since winning in Melbourne, Fisichella has been cursed by misfortune while 24-year-old Alonso has won six times and is on course to become the sport's youngest champion.

While Alonso has 87 points, Fisichella has scored just 30.

The Roman has failed to finish four times and Melbourne remains his only podium of the season.