Fisichella Prepared for Steppingstone Season

Disgruntled Jordan driver Giancarlo Fisichella said today that he is prepared to take a "steppingstone" season with a smaller team next year if it offers him a link with a top outfit in 2005.

Italian Fisichella, who currently drives for Jordan, visited the Sauber factory in Hinwil, Switzerland, last Wednesday and has admitted he is interested in the opportunities joining them could present with World Champions Ferrari.

Sauber are expected to continue their engine supply deal with the Italian team in 2004 and, asked if he thinks a Sauber drive could lead to one with Ferrari in 2005, Fisichella said: "If I race with Sauber and do a good job then maybe."

Fisichella won a Grand Prix for the first time with a lucky break in Brazil this year but since then his complaints over the lack of competitiveness of his Jordan car have become more frequent.

His comments on the team's press release on Friday were kept to a two-line sentence that simply said he is "frustrated" with the performance of the car and he has made no secret that he wants to leave the team.

Asked why he thinks Sauber could present a steppingstone to Ferrari he said: "Maybe they would like to see how I compare to another driver. I just want a good car to show off my talent."

He insisted that the slump in form shown recently by the Swiss team has not concerned him and added that their competitiveness depends on "what kind of engine they get from Ferrari" next year.

Fisichella denied any strong speculation linking him with Sauber, however, and said that all teams on the grid, including Jordan, are in the frame if they present a path to a top team. Jordan have been linked with Mercedes engines for next year and Fisichella admitted that could convince him to stay.

"Maybe if Mercedes supply next year, yes," he said. "But only if there was a possibility to be with McLaren in 2005."