Formula One news

Fisichella: I have to lead the team

Giancarlo Fisichella feels it is his responsibility to lead the Renault team in 2007. The Italian has been outshone by his younger teammate Fernando Alonso over the last two years but now critics believes this season is his last chance to win a title whilst Alonso has to settle in at new team McLaren.

"I am under pressure because I have to lead the team," he revealed to formula1.com.

"I am comfortable with pressure and I have lived with it all my life so for me it is just another challenge, that's all," he added.

Fisichella, who will be 34 when the season kicks off at Melbourne, will have a new rookie teammate Heikki Kovalainen to contend with. The young Finn is under less pressure but has already started to go quicker than the Italian in winter testing.

Fisichella remarked that there would no official number one at the French team.

"We know I start as the leader because I have more experience, but we will both have the same equipment, no doubt.

"Other than that only performance will tell."

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