Fisichella Interested in Return to Renault

After years of yearning to drive for a top Formula One team, Italian Giancarlo Fisichella may have a choice of winning options.

The 30-year-old Sauber driver has been linked to former champions Williams and high-flying Renault for next season and acknowledged at the German Grand Prix on Friday that both were attractive.

"I know I am high on the lists of those teams - nothing is done at the moment," said Fisichella. "I hope to move to a top team and I hope to have a car to win for the future."

The Roman has not ruled out staying with his improving Swiss team for another year either.

"Obviously, the performance of the (Sauber) car is much better now and I want to see this race and then the other one (Hungary) and then maybe I will make my decision," he said.

Williams have two spaces to fill, with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya leaving for McLaren and Ralf Schumacher heading for big-budget Toyota. Second-placed Renault, meanwhile, look set to lose Italian Jarno Trulli, the driver who replaced Fisichella at the French team in 2002 before they moved up a gear and became race winners, to Toyota.

While Williams have said Fisichella has always been on their list, the speculation has intensified on a return to Flavio Briatore's operation.

Stronger Team

"There is no problem with Flavio, we have a very good friendship," said Fisichella. "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.

"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. Williams are struggling a little bit but Williams have the potential to come back, like McLaren did," he added.

"So I hope to have the choice to go there (Williams) or there (Renault) but at the moment I am still focused on this race."

Williams are fourth in the standings, and could sink to fifth if McLaren's return to form continues to pick up pace. They are not a team known for cosseting drivers but Fisichella said he could handle that.

"I think they are tough but if they are tough it is because they want to win and maybe the drivers are not concentrating," said Fisichella of Williams.

The Italian, who struggled with Jordan in 2003 despite winning a freakish Brazilian Grand Prix before moving to Sauber, showed his strengths at the last race in Silverstone when he took his Sauber from the back of the grid to sixth place.

He said the Swiss team had made huge improvements since their wind tunnel came on stream in the last few months and felt fit and happy.

"Sauber are a fantastic team, a lot of professional people," he said. "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."