By Jamie Makin
July 28 2004

Giancarlo Fisichella has become the focal point of silly season rumours in the past few weeks, being sought by both the Williams and Renault teams. Peter Sauber will also be keen to retain his services next year, but has promised not to hold him back should he want to leave. This adds up to a big decision which will have to be made by Fisichella himself. The 31-year old Roman has made no secret of his longing to drive for a top team capable of race wins and a chance at the championship. Williams and Renault look to be the two teams in the best position to offer him such an opportunity. "I know I am high on the lists of those teams - nothing is done at the moment," Fisichella told Reuters this weekend. "I hope to move to a top team and I hope to have a car to win for the future."

Fisichella has already spent a few years with the Renault team, driving for them from 1998 to 2001 as their former incarnation as Benetton. The team was struggling then so he moved to Jordan who by then were also on the decline. This year he has been fortunate to join the SAUBER team at a time they are climbing up the grid, but the team is unlikely to be able to offer Fisichella a winning car in the coming years.

Fisichella's chances at Renault are also linked to a pending announcement over where Jaguar's Mark Webber will move to next season. It is widely believed that the Australian will announce a deal with Williams in the coming days and that his manager, Renault team boss Flavio Briatore, is willing to allow Williams to have Webber provided he can get Fisichella for Renault.

Fisichella sounded positive about his chances of fitting in at Renault. "There is no problem with Flavio, we have a very good friendship," Fisichella said. "Last year, this year, we usually have the boat in Sardinia and I go on his boat and stay with him and go to his discotheque with him."

This season Renault leads Williams in the Constructors Championship by a 38 point margin and look to be a stronger contender for the championship in the next few years. "At the moment, the Renault is quicker, it's a stronger team than Williams and there it would be nice because I know most of the people," said Fisichella. "Williams are struggling a little bit but Williams have the potential to come back, like McLaren did."

SAUBER's star driver was careful not rule out the possibility of staying with the Hinwil-based squad for next season. "Sauber are a fantastic team, a lot of professional people. Maybe I could stay one more year. I think all the options are going to finish around the middle of August or the end of August. So I think we still have nearly a month." Peter Sauber has spent years working to get Fisichella on his team and will be keen to convince him to stay. "Obviously, the performance of the car is much better now and I want to see this race and then the other one and then maybe I will make my decision."

Fisichella's lifelong dream has been to drive for Ferrari and his best chance to realise that dream may be to stay with SAUBER until a seat with the Italian marque becomes available.

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