Renault driver Giancarlo Fisichella believes that Ferrari will be the car to beat in the upcoming Formula 1 season.
In an interview posted on the official Formula 1 website (www.formula1.com), the Roman driver said that his reigning world champion team's biggest rivals were, respectively: Ferrari, McLaren and BMW.
McLaren this year hired on Fisichella's former teammate Fernando Alonso, who has won the title for the past two years after breaking the five-year winning streak of Ferrari's Michael Schumacher.
When asked how it would be at Renault without Alonso's shadow, Fisichella replied "I'm prepared for a very tough season. In the past two years I have been working for the team rather than for myself".
Fisichella's new teammate is Hekki Kovalainen of Finland.
Looking at the new Renault R27, Fisichella said "the car is good and the potential for winning is there. We must find a little bit more speed in the first couple of races. But much will depend on future developments mid season - and of how fast we can react to the improvements of the other teams".
"My impression is that 2007 is not going to be a two-way battle between Ferrari and Renault. We could also have McLaren and BMW joining us in the podium fight.," he added.
The 2007 Formula 1 seasons kicks off March 18 in Melbourne with the Australian Grand Prix.
