Fisichella expects to stay at Renault

BUDAPEST, Aug 2 (Reuters) Italian Giancarlo Fisichella expects to stay at Renault next season after a difficult year for the Formula One champions.

''I won the last two constructors' championships with the team and this year we started the season once again aiming to win the championship,'' the 34-year-old told reporters today before the Hungarian Grand Prix.

''Unfortunately the car wasn't great and we still haven't got good pace. So I did my best, I worked really hard and for that I expect once again the re-confirmation for next year.

''Soon we'll know, but I don't know when.'' Fisichella has been at Renault since 2005, after four years with predecessors Benetton from 1998 to 2001, and has won two races for the team in that period.

This season he is currently seventh, with a meagre 17 points from 10 races. His Finnish rookie team mate Heikki Kovalainen has scored 15.

''I'm happy because on this aspect everything is under control,'' Fisichella said of the contract negotiations. ''I'm looking forward, I really want to race next year for Renault and I'm quite confident because I did my best.

''Unfortunately the car this year wasn't so good.'' The Italian said his experience was another reason for Renault, who have Brazilian test driver Nelson Piquet junior champing to get a race drive, to continue with him.

''I don't see any other drivers with enough experience around so I think in a top team like Renault they need one experienced driver.'' REUTERS KK KP2330