The Italian was banking on the departure of double world champion Fernando Alonso to McLaren to provide him with his best opportunity to win the title.

Fisichella, though, has not bettered fifth place in the first three races of the new season, while his rookie team-mate Heikki Kovalainen has only had one finish in the points.

But the 34-year-old has not been demotivated by Renault's surprisingly poor performance so far.

"The car is clearly not performing how we had hoped, so that makes it disappointing because I came into this season believing I had my best chance yet to fight for the title," he said.

"I am a racing driver, and I want to win, so can I ever really say I am pleased to finish seventh or sixth? Of course not."

"But when that is the maximum the car is capable of, and I am achieving it, then you have to find some satisfaction with the job you are doing."

"I cannot find the technical solution instead of the engineers, but it is important to lead the team with a good example."

"They know that when I go out on track, I am pushing the car to the limit and getting everything out of the package."

McLaren and Ferrari have shown themselves to be the quickest cars on the grid, but Renault has slipped behind BMW and finds itself fighting with teams in the midfield.

But Fisichella, who has been with the Anglo-French outfit since 2005 after a previous stint when it was owned by Benetton, has vowed to do all he can to rediscover the form that saw Renault claim drivers' and constructors' crowns for the past two years.

"This is a team that is used to winning races and we are determined to improve the situation," he added on the official Renault F1 website.

"It is also a team of world champions, that has shown they have what it takes to be the very best during the last two years, so I know we have the strength in depth to turn things around."

"I know that behind the scenes everybody, from the mechanics to directors, are working 100 per cent to improve the car."

"I am confident that we will get to the bottom of our problems, and emerge even stronger, but I cannot predict when."

Sportal