Fisichella: points not key to new deal

Kovalainen's sixth placed finish in the Turkish Grand Prix helped him move two points clear of Fisichella in the drivers' championship.

But on the back of that result, which prompted rumours suggesting Renault will not take up the option on Fisichella for another year, the Italian is adamant that other factors will play a more important role in deciding his fate.

"I do not believe those two points make the difference," Fisichella said in an interview with the official Formula One website. "Heikki is a good driver and he has worked as hard as I did with the package that we have.

"I was in front of him until the last race and I could be ahead again after the next one. We work for the team to get the maximum points for Renault."

Fisichella also dismissed suggestions that Kovalainen's recent run of good results are a sign that the Finn has got on top of the Renault car or the switch to Bridgestone tyres.

"That is only down to strategies and in my case occasionally they did not work - not because I have made any mistakes," he said.

"We are constantly looking for points and, with six cars in front of us which are better than us, we can only fight for two positions and we have another six cars (fighting) with us for the same positions, so it is tough..."

When asked about his options for the future should Renault not decide to retain him, Fisichella said: "My contract is with Renault but the team has to choose very soon if I will be re-confirmed or not. Personally, I would like to stay because I have worked very hard and made very few mistakes."