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Fisichella surprised by Alonso's comments

Italian Giancarlo Fisichella has admitted he is surprised by Fernando Alonso's critical comments of his Renault team ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix

The world champion said on Thursday he felt deserted by Renault during last weekend's Chinese Grand Prix, also admitting he was unhappy about having to fight with Fisichella for position.

Fisichella said he knew nothing of Alonso's comments.

"Yes, I am very surprised about that. I don't know why he said it. Obviously I race for myself and I don't race for Fernando," said Fisichella. "If there is a possibility to help them it is okay, but I cannot stop my car on the track to let him past. For me there is no problem at all.

"I will talk with him about that, but if he is happy okay, if he is not happy then I don't mind. It is important to be together until the end of the season.

"I work for Renault; we are working to win both championships, which is very important for us. If we lose the championship it is not because of my fault or I helped him a lot during the season. He will win because he has done a fantastic season and scored a lot of points, that is all.

"We work as usual. When we jump in the car we are going to push to win the race, which is our main target."

Alonso said he found it risky to be fighting with his teammate with the championship at stake, but Fisichella downplayed their Chinese Grand Prix battle.

"No, absolutely not," said Fisichella when asked if there were any risks when passing Alonso at Shanghai. "I was on the wet side and we both braked quite late because behind us there was Michael (Schumacher), so that is the reason why the first time I lost control of the car.

"But it wasn't dangerous."

Fisichella admitted Renault had not given him any instructions on what to do when it was clear that Alonso was struggling with his tyres and both him and Schumacher were right behind.

"Nobody told me anything about it. I was just pushing, I was very quick in that moment and maybe the mistake was to change tyres on Fernando's car. That is all."

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