33-yr-old Italian says he's still aiming for driver's title (ANSA) - Rome, June 15 - Speculation that Renault were preparing to drop Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella stopped abruptly on Thursday when he signed a contract to stay at the French-British team for a third year Fisichella, 33, joined Renault at the start of the 2004 season and had high hopes of achieving some of the Formula 1 glory that had so far eluded him in his career .

His performance since then has been eclipsed by that of Spanish team-mate Fernando Alonso, who won last year's drivers' title and currently holds a healthy lead in the 2006 championship .

But Renault team boss Flavio Briatore said the Italian was still had a crucial role to play .


"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" .

Fisichella is currently enjoying his strongest Formula 1 season to date. He has picked up 32 points in eight races and is now fourth in the drivers' standings .

In 2005 he finished fifth, but his 58 points helped Renault take the constructors' title away from Ferrari for the first time in six years .

Even so, his inability to compete with Alonso's growig tally of wins - he has five already this season - had prompted talk of his departure at the end of the 2006 season .

"It is very satisfying to be the first Formula 1 driver to be confirmed by his team this year," Fisichella said as the contract extension was announced .

The Italian's two-year contract was set to run out at the end of the season, but Renault decided to take up an option in the contract for a third year .

"The team's confidence in me will help me to battle all the harder," he said .

Fisichella, who moved to Renault from Sauber, has driven for five Formula 1 teams since his debut in 1996. Despite being Italian he has never had a chance to drive for Ferrari, something he once let slip he would love to do .

With Alonso heading to McLaren next season, Formula 1 fans are waiting to hear who Fisichella s Renault team-mate will be in 2007 .

Rising Finnish star Heikki Kovalainen is likely to take Alonso's, some reports say .