Giancarlo Fisichella appears certain to be retained by Force India for next season.
Indian billionaire owner Vijay Mallya sees Fisichella's experience as vital if the team are to make further progress in 2009.
Although Fisichella, along with team-mate Adrian Sutil, has yet to score a point for the team this season, Mallya has indicated the 35-year-old Italian's role is vital.
"This team needs the experience of Giancarlo, has needed it, and as we design the 2009 car, needs it even more," said Mallya on the 13-season veteran.
"This team has never had the benefit in the last two or three years of an experienced driver.
"To give you an example, I race horses, and what the jockey tells you, no-one else can.
"You can have the best trainer in the world, but you need a jockey to tell you how good or bad the horse is.
"Similarly, I firmly believe driver feedback on a car is invaluable and that is why Giancarlo is performing a very valuable role for us."
It remains to be seen whether 25-year-old German Sutil will also be with the team for next season, although the signs are good.
Mallya added: "I have contracts and an option on both. As far as I'm concerned, if you look around, who is available."
One option Mallya is ruling out - at least for next season - is Indian driver Karun Chandhok, currently racing in GP2.
"I would love to give Karun a go as a test driver first," remarked Mallya.
"He is a year away from a race seat. I need to see him consistently winning in GP2, not an odd race here and there.
"He has it in him to do it, and when he does it, then sure, I would love to have an Indian driver in the car if I could.
"But at the end of the day, on one hand I cannot be encouraging the team's performance, and then doing something that might compromise the result.
"I don't believe he is there yet. I'm not saying he won't get there, but I am hoping he will."
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