From GMM

Veteran Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella is on the cusp of a significant pay increase if he is retained by Force India for a second season in 2009.

According to the German trade magazine Auto Motor und Sport, the Roman veteran - following the loss of his works Renault seat last year - agreed to rescue his formula one career with the backmarker team by racing practically for free in 2008.

Only in 2009, the specialist publication claims, will 35-year-old Fisichella trigger a $1.5 million pay packet.

The looming deadline of Force India's contract option on Fisichella - reportedly August 31 - coincided with a strong performance for the Italian, following a notable lean patch in comparison with his young teammate Adrian Sutil.

In Hungary, Fisichella brought their qualifying duel back to 6:5 in his favour, before he finished a strong fifteenth, also recording the 15th fastest lap of the race.