'Lucky' Fisichella Targets Victory

Giancarlo Fisichella said this could be his lucky season after seeing fate smile on him as he all but claimed his second career pole position in first qualifying for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.

Renault driver Fisichella set his flying lap on a drying track just seconds before a downpour left the rest of the field unable to better his time and he is already targeting his second career victory.

"I have a very good feeling, it is the best start I have had in my life, I know I have a great car and I will fight to win the race," said a smiling Fisichella. "I am very lucky, which is very unusual, so maybe this season is lucky for me."

Fisichella was one of the few drivers to risk running on dry tyres after the sun dried out the track during the session and he made the most of his gamble to finish 2.099 seconds ahead of second-placed Italian Jarno Trulli.

"It was a risk to go out in the dry tyres, there were lots of places where it was damp. The lap was very clean, I drove very well and. This is good for me. I am happy," the Italian said.

"I went out in the right moment and as soon as I finished my lap it rained and I have a big gap compared to my competitors. Fortunately it was raining just at the end of my flying lap but on the in-lap it was so difficult to come back.

"Tomorrow we are going to make our second qualifying session much easier, we can play with the fuel and it is important to be there now. It is better to be conservative on my flying lap tomorrow, to be in pole position. I need to be conservative, but not too slow."

Fisichella won his first Grand Prix in Brazil two years ago with Jordan but it was only awarded to him after an appeal and he is yet to spray champagne from the top step of the podium.