Fisichella targets point finishes in 2008

The Italian veteran left Renault at the end of last year to join the Indian squad, who have higher hopes for the 2008 season thanks to an increased budget.

The team, known as Spyker last year, scored just one point but Fisichella has more ambitious goals for 2008.

"My motivation first of all was the project, and the budget," Fisichella told reporters in Mumbai, India. "To have people like Mike Gascoyne and Mark Smith in the team is a very good guarantee, and to grow up with them is the target.

"I still love F1, I still feel young, and I want to race in F1 with them. I want to get great results with them, score some points, and maybe get on the podium in 2009."

He added: "At the moment I have a two-year contract, and after that we will see. I'm 35, but I still feel young, I am fit, I am happy to race in F1 and I want to race for a few more years.

"I still enjoy it, and there is a big motivation after the last couple of tests. We made a few changes on the car, and we made a step forward, closer to the other people. That is really encouraging."

Fisichella admits the season is likely to be difficult for the team, but the Roman says he is very optimistic the Force India project will move forward quickly.

"Even at the end of the season I didn't expect to be a Force India driver, but it's good," he added. "I'm really happy to be part of this, and I'm really confident in the project. There is a much better budget for this year.

"I know it's going to be difficult, the last couple of seasons for the team have been a difficult situation, running in the last couple of rows, but I think if we work quite well with a good budget we can make a step forward."