Italy's Fisichella to stay at Renault in 2007

Formula One world champions Renault extended Italian Giancarlo Fisichella's contract yesterday, ensuring continuity after Fernando Alonso's departure to McLaren.

"We are extremely pleased to continue working with Giancarlo next year," said team boss and compatriot Flavio Briatore in a statement announcing Fisichella as the 'backbone' of Renault's 2007 challenge.

"He was an integral part of our championship success last year; he has upped his game significantly for 2006, making the team even stronger. We believe he can do it again for 2007.

"It is important for Renault to maintain continuity as we move into next year, and Giancarlo's integration with the team is now perfect," added Briatore.

Alonso, the 24-year-old who last year became Formula One's youngest world champion, announced in December that he was leaving for his team's Mercedes-powered rivals.

The Spaniard has won five of the season's eight races so far and is running away with the championship, leading Ferrari's Michael Schumacher by 23 points.

Fisichella has won just once in 2006, in Malaysia, but next week's Canadian Grand Prix is one of his favourites.

The Montreal circuit is also the last to witness a retirement by his team-mate, in 2005.

Briatore said Fisichella's experience with the team over the last two years would be invaluable.

"We will have targets for next season, and Giancarlo is capable of achieving them," he said.

The second Renault seat remains to be decided but test driver Heikki Kovalainen is the favourite - if the team cannot secure compatriot Kimi Raikkonen from McLaren.

Raikkonen has been linked strongly to Ferrari but Renault recently confirmed their long-term commitment to F1 and said they were prepared to pay what it takes to get a driver of Alonso's calibre.

Fisichella's future has looked uncertain, with Alonso clearly in a different league.

"It was important for me to know my future as soon as possible," said Fisichella yesterday.

"I am delighted to be staying at Renault next year, and to have the opportunity to see my hard work with the team over the past two seasons come to fruition.

"This clear vision for the future means I can focus 100 per cent on the job at hand: retaining the constructors' championship with Renault in 2006 and finishing as high as possible in the drivers' standings."

Italy has not had a F1 champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

By staying on at Renault, possibly as lead driver next year, Fisichella would have his best shot yet at ending that long drought.