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Italian remains at Renault

Renault have this morning announced that Giancarlo Fisichella will remain with the team in 2007.

A statement added Fisichella's "excellent working relationship with the team, allied to undoubted speed, will form the backbone of the Renault F1 Team's 2007 challenge".

Fisichella's somewhat patchy form this season so far had led many to believe he would not remain at the team after the end of this year, but with Fernando Alonso leaving for rivals McLaren, it seems continuity has entered the equation.

"It was very important for me to know my future as soon as possible in the season. 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." said Giancarlo, adding "I want to thank the Renault F1 Team and the Renault Group for the trust they have placed in me. This clear vision for the future means I can focus 100% on the job at hand: retaining the constructors' championship with Renault in 2006 and finishing as high as possible in the drivers' standings."

Renault F1 Team Managing Director Flavio Briatore commented: "We are extremely pleased to continue working with Giancarlo next year. 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. What's more, his experience with the team over two championship campaigns will be an invaluable asset. We will have ambitious targets for next season, and Giancarlo is capable of achieving them."

The identity of Fisichella's team mate for next season remains unknown although he did comment, on a widely publicised story yesterday, that it would be 'a Finn'.

Although the above comment is taken to refer to current Renault test driver Heikki Kovalainen, widely tipped for a race drive next season, it is known that Renault have been chasing the services of Kimi Raikkonen, who is out of contract at the end of this year.

With the first piece of the driver 'jigsaw' in place we can expect further announcements to follow.

Written: Thu, 15 Jun 2006 11:13:46