Fisichella wants another year at Renault

Renault have yet to score a podium finish this season, but Fisichella has been praised by senior management for his efforts in helping them get to the bottom of their problems.

And with the Italian's reputation having been enhanced following two years in the shadow of Fernando Alonso at the team, the Italian has made it clear that his focus is on remaining on board for at least another season.

"I am really comfortable in the team," said Fisichella, when asked by autosport.com about his thoughts for the future. "I would like to run one more year with them."

Fisichella thinks that he and the team are firing off each other this year, and in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport he has not denied suggestions that Renault are finding a leader in him.

"We both need each other, we are pushing each other," he said. "The important thing is not to panic.

"But we are the team that won the last two titles and we know how to manage ourselves. In this we are perhaps the best in F1."

Although the team are still seeking answers to their problems, Fisichella is confident that progress is being made rapidly.

"The car has demonstrated to have improved. The new front suspension and the rear wing we used guarantee us more grip. But while we've improved, the others have too.

"We must be realistic. It's not easy when you know you're not among the favourites and you have difficulties to just get in the points, but the important thing is not to lose heart, to keep calm and focused. That's what we're doing. Everybody is pushing to the maximum and we'll be back soon.

"The important thing was to understand what direction to go and we found the two or three areas on which to work on. Before that there was confusion. We couldn't understand why we were having so much difficulty."