Fisichella wants to win many points for Force India

In an interview with the official formula one website, the former Renualt driver asserted Force India is not there just to make up the numbers and said people should watch out in the second half of the season.

"I am looking for points - as many as I can get. Then we will work together with the technical people to gradually improve the car and I want to be their guiding force," Fisichella said.

"Looking at everybody's lap times now I believe we will not have a car that will be last anymore. But it is better to wait and see what happens in Melbourne after Q1," he added.

"As for real improvement, I would realistically say that the second part of the season is when I expect that we will catch up. Watch us then," said the driver, oozing confidence.

A three-time winner on the F1 circuit, Fisichella clocked the fourth-fastest time at the Barcelona test earlier this month, much to the amusement of the outfit.

"I am happier now because we are doing a lot of important work with the 2007 chassis in preparation for the 2008 car.

All this work is necessary and it resulted in a good lap time in Barcelona, especially as it was clocked on the first day, when the track is normally slow," he said.

"We have now found the best mechanical set-up with the old aero package so that now we know how quick the car can be without the improvements," added the Italian.

Fisichella admitted Vijay Mallya, part-owner of the team was not in the traditional mode of the F1 decision maker, but said he found nothing wrong if he demanded result.

"I am still in the middle of learning about Vijay. I have simply not spent enough time with him so far. But what I see is a man who has a huge passion for the sport, and one that brings a huge new audience to the F1 table.

"But like any successful businessman, he also wants to see results. There's nothing wrong with that," he said.

Fisichella also confirmed that he had shunned offers from Renault and BMW Sauber to be a test driver.

"Yes. But honestly that was never an option for me. I want to race."

Dwelling on his career, Fisichella felt joining Force India handed him a new challenge and he is determined to come off with flying colours.

"For sure the general opinion was that I should have quit Formula One. On the contrary I like challenges and I love the sport and I want to prove everyone wrong.

"The management of Force India is very focused and they know what they want. The people out there do not understand it, so it is up to us to show them how things have changed," he said.

The new Force India car, which was launched at a glitzy ceremony in Mumbai last week, will hit the track in Barcelona from February 25, he said.