Fisichella Motor Sport International has pulled off the coup it was hoping for by persuading Formula One refugee Antonio Pizzonia to lead its assault on the 2007 GP2 Series.

Having taken Giorgio Pantano - another to have briefly tasted the F1 limelight - to victory in 2006, the Italian team is looking to become a regular challenger in what will be its second season under the FMSI banner, and sees Pizzonia as the ideal candidate to achieve its ambitions.

"We want to win the 2007 GP2 Championship and we have signed Pizzonia because we believe he's going to do that," confirmed team owner, and Renault F1 driver, Giancarlo Fisichella, "Antonio has been incredibly fast during winter testing, lapping Jerez in record time and confirming what we expected from such an experienced driver."

The merger between FMS and Coloni ahead of the 2006 season produced a strong Italian presence in GP2, and the team was happy to learn that Pizzonia will be able to continue that next season.

"Antonio will run the series with an Italian licence," confirmed team principal Paolo Coloni, "His origins and his passport allow us to race him as an Italian..."

Pizzonia - like both Pantano and Gianmaria Bruni before him - admitted that the decision to tackle the increasingly competitive GP2 series had personal motives relating to Formula One. The former Jaguar and Williams pilot enjoyed his performances in 'winter' testing, but has had to decide between pursuing a career in Champ Cars or stepping back to GP2 in order to resurrect his F1 career.

"I want to return to F1 as soon as I can, and this is why I accepted the FMSI challenge," the Brazilian confessed, "Our target is the same - to win the GP2 Championship - but it is also a great chance to remind everyone in Formula One that I am always fast and competitive."

Pizzonia will, as expected, be partnered by second year GP2 runner Jason Tahinci next season, the young Turk returning to the line-up and ensuring that FMSI's lucrative relationship with Petrol Ofisi continues.

"My task will to score as many points as possible to help FMSI win the team prize," Tahinci revealed, "My place in the team is part of a long-term agreement which has to bring me to the top level in the next two years. For me, 2007 will be another year of apprenticeship and I am pleased to have a team-mate as competitive as Antonio."