Fisi: If I had $10m, I'd <I>watch</I> F1!

Giancarlo Fisichella has hit out at those suggesting that he is poised to buy a seat in the Force India F1 team for the forthcoming Formula One season, claiming that if he had the sort of figures being quoted, he'd stay at home.

Writing on his personal website as rumours continue to circulate about his future with Vijay Mallya's operation, the Italian stressed three things 'especially for all those creative media guys..', claiming that:

1) I do not pay to drive, I get paid to drive;
2) I do not bring sponsors to the team, the team brings sponsors to me;
3) If I had ten million bucks I'd stay home and watch F1 on TV!

The short missive comes as reports continue to suggest that Fisichella is the favourite to partner Adrian Sutil at the Silverstone-based team. With several contenders for the seat having taken themselves out of the equation - Ralf Schumacher to retirement, Giedo van der Garde to World Series by Renault and Franck Montagny potentially to sportscar or the USA - Fisichella's only real opposition comes from Tonio Liuzzi and Christian Klien, neither of whom possess the Italian veteran's experience.

The latest story linking Fisichella to Force India comes from the Indian publication Times Now, which claims that he will be chosen because of the years he has spent in the top flight, rather than any money he can bring to the team. Sutil has been all but confirmed by team boss Colin Kolles - especially as his only other option, McLaren, has signed Heikki Kovalainen - and a decision on the second driver is expected on 11 January.

Spaniard Roldan Rodriguez also remains in the frame, having signed an agreement with Force India's predecessor Spyker late last season, but is expected only to be confirmed in a reserve and test role given his lack of experience.

Fisichella's post-season test outings with Force India - the latest incarnation of one of his former employers, Jordan - did not go entirely to plan, but the Italian is determined to defy F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone's advice to 'walk away' from the sport. Former boss Eddie Jordan has backed Fisichella's candidature for the seat alongside Sutil, claiming that the veteran's experience would play a key role in helping Mallya achieve his ambition of taking the team back to the heights it reached as Jordan.