Fisichella: Piquet will have to wait

Piquet said earlier this week that he had his eyes on getting a race seat at Renault in 2008 because he believed that Fisichella was going to hang up his helmet.

"Fisichella may retire in 2008 and if everything goes right, I should replace him," said Piquet. "As they (Renault) are investing in (Heikki) Kovalainen now, probably it's Fisichella who is going to stop because of age."

Those comments have left Fisichella unimpressed - especially because the Italian has set his sights on getting a contract extension with Renault and staying in F1 for at least six more years.

"I didn't say that next year I will move or I will retire," said the Italian at Interlagos. "If he is waiting for me to retire then I think he will only be an F1 driver in six or seven years.

"I love this sport and I want to race for a long time. I want to renew my deal here and I would like to work with Renault for a few more years."

Fisichella remains confident that he will show much improved form next season, with many paddock insiders suggesting that he will bloom once he escapes from Alonso's shadow.

"We will see about that," he said. "Obviously next year it is going to my third year with the team, which is important, and we will start straightaway with a good opportunity to win.

"We want to have straightaway a competitive and reliable car and for myself it is going to be important, as I told you, to be straightaway quick and win some races. I want to fight for the championship.

"I don't know if without Fernando it is going to be easier or better or worse."