Saturday March 30th, 2002

Italian Giancarlo Fisichella has called for more power from Jordan engine suppliers Honda after suffering an unexpectedly poor start to the season on his return to the Silverstone-based team.

The Japanese company's engine is believed to be underpowered compared to its rivals and Fisichella will start from 14th on the grid in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix despite feeling he got the maximum out of the car in qualifying.

"We have to find power," Fisichella said. "The car is actually not too bad, it is quite easy to set up and at the moment - we just need more power. On the car, we need to improve just a little bit on the low-speed corners with the understeering and the traction on the exit, but in high speed corners and especially in braking it looks much better."

Things are made worse by the fact that Fisichella has had to face the sight of the Renault team, with whom he struggled last year, flourishing into a points-scoring force.

Renault, who took over the Benetton team at the end of last season, have made huge improvements and Fisichella admitted it is difficult to see his former team chasing podiums while he struggles with the underpowered Jordan.

"It is not good for me," he said. "Their car looks very good and even in the last race Jenson was doing very well, with the possibility of getting a podium. But that's life. I am a Jordan driver. I have to do my best with this car and with them. I am confident for the future."

Published at 21:31:49 GMT