Fisichella's retirement in Bahrain means he can take a new engine

The team took the decision to give the Italian their revised 'B' specification engine one race ahead of schedule after analysing test data.

Fisichella is entitled to a new engine without a grid penalty after retiring from the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Team-mate Fernando Alonso, who leads the drivers' standings, will have to use the engine he used in Bahrain.

New rules introduced this season stipulate that engines must last for two successive races.

Fisichella said he had high hopes for Sunday's race - and added he felt that local fans were increasingly supportive of other Italian drivers rather than just the Ferrari team.

"Nowadays I think the Italian people and the Ferrari fans are much closer to the Italian drivers.

"With Ferrari not being so strong in the first few races, I think people at home are starting to like seeing an Italian on the podium rather than somebody else."

Fisichella won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix but has retired from the last two races.

Renault will be chasing their fourth victory in four races on Sunday.

Ferrari's seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher, winner five times in the last six years at Imola, has scored just two points so far.