Fisichella apologises for Bahrain outburst

SEPANG, Malaysia, Mar 16 (Reuters) Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella apologised today for swearing on live television after an engine failure forced him out of last weekend's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Italian, who had a series of retirements last year, was fuming after a problem he experienced in qualifying resurfaced in the race and he swore over the team radio, unaware that the outburst was being broadcast.

''I was very upset,'' he told reporters at the Malaysian Grand Prix. ''First, I'm really sorry for that to all the people that were listening, especially to the children.

''I didn't know the team radio was on television. But now it's too late.'' It has been a week of apologies for Renault, who had already apologised to Fisichella for sending him out to race without rectifying the problem.

The Roman was left with reduced power and he was finally forced to retire with a hydraulic leak after 36 laps while world champion team mate Fernando Alonso went on to win the opening race of the season.

Fisichella won last year's Australian season-opener.

''It was very disappointing because the problem I had in the race was the same that I'd had in qualifying which is the reason why I was more upset than usual,'' he said.

''But there are more important things in life.'' REUTERS PM BST1355