Fisichella’s comparatively lacklustre performances alongside runaway leader Alonso had started rumours that
Renault would be after an all-new line-up in 2007, but the team are seemingly favouring familiarity over risk in welcoming the Italian back.
Not that retaining Fisichella has eased rumours about Alonso’s replacement. With Fisichella hinting that he expects a Finn to join him next year, the likely candidate seems to be highly respected test driver
Heikki Kovalainen.
However, various press reports have brought Kimi Raikkonen’s name back into an already complicated equation, with Renault apparently willing to fulfil his wage demands to snatch him from the nose of
McLaren and
Ferrari. An announcement at the French Grand Prix has been mooted but as of yet this remains speculation.
NEWS FROM THE TEAMS:
Renault – Fernando Alonso (#1), Giancarlo Fisichella (#2):
Although he admits that he has been strong in Canada in the past, Fernando Alonso has not seen the Gilles Villeneuve chequered flag since 2003, although he did set the fastest lap that year and was leading in last season’s race.
Still, Canada remains on Alonso’s ‘to do’ list and he is determined to get a win or at least a podium there for the first time. “Canada was one of the races on my ‘to-do' list at the start of the season. I have never finished on the podium there, and that was one of my goals for 2006. So I will be really pushing to get a strong result there.”
Having eked out a 23-point advantage over
Michael Schumacher and with the season reaching the mid-way point, you could be forgiven for thinking Alonso would be considering easing back and consolidating his lead. However, the Spaniard insists he will be as aggressive as ever, as he expects Ferrari to remain a steadfast threat throughout the season.
