Giancarlo in the J197

The Italian began his career with the Irish team in 1997 but, after coming close to winning in his debut year, he moved to Benetton who were unable to provide him with a car to make the final step. Now, following a swap of drives with fellow countryman Jarno Trulli, Giancarlo is confident that Honda power and an Eghbal Hamidy designed chassis can take him to top step of the podium.

"I have come second five times and third four times, so I want to win," he told the Jordan website, "My aim is to be at the top, quicker than everybody.
"Sometimes, I think a lot about the races where I have come so close and then either something with the car or a mistake stopped me from winning, but I try not to dwell on it too much. I feel quite positive and it's my aim to win a race this year - well hopefully not just one!"

Fisichella will team with up with some familiar faces on his return to the Jordan fold. Although it is some four years since he left the team, the Italian is confident that it will not take long for him to settle straight back in.

One unfamiliar face is his new driving partner, Takuma Sato. The two haven’t met so far, but Giancarlo knows he is fast. "I haven’t met him yet, but I hear he’s talented and has been very quick in F3 and testing," he said.

Fisichella has admitted that while he will help his new team mate to settle in, he is not planning to blight his record of always outpacing his team mate. He will try to gain the upper hand over Sato as the Formula 1 rookie finds his feet.
"It will be part of my job to help him as it’s his first time in F1, but at the end of the day I am competing against him just as much as everybody else. I have always been quicker than my team mate so hopefully I’ll be faster than him!"