Fisichella set for Renault return

Although Fisichella's Sauber contract contains a clause that releases him only to a top three team (stipulated as Ferrari, McLaren or Williams), paddock rumour in Germany suggested that a deal with Frank Williams was agreed as long ago as the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis.

Williams always issues a firm "no comment" when asked about driver contracts, but Autosport understands that Williams was informed by Flavio Briatore that if it signed Fisichella, the team would not be getting Mark Webber in 2005. Briatore, of course, pulls the strings where Webber's career movements are concerned.

"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 about his options.

Fisichella's manager Enrico Zanarini commented on Monday: "The signature is not officially down yet so you can never say it is sure in this sport. The contract has to be signed and certified and option dates have to be matched and so on but in general we have been offered deals that are absolutely fine with what we wanted."

Potentially then, the deal is that Williams, having secured Fisichella, immediately trades him on to Renault, where he lines up alongside Fernando Alonso while Frank gets Webber in return. Trulli, who is free of his Briatore management contract at the end of this year, then joins Schumacher Jr at Toyota. Trulli and new Toyota technical director Mike Gascoyne have previously worked together at both Jordan and Benetton (Renault).

Fitting in with all this were comments made by Ralf Schumacher (see separate story) that Trulli would be the best choice as his new team-mate and "fine with me". Historically, drivers are seldom complimentary about rivals unless a) they know something, b) it serves their purpose, or both...

Fisichella's move will leave Peter Sauber searching for another driver for next year alongside Felipe Massa, and although the names of Gary Paffett and Anthony Davidson have been hot over the past week, there is Massa's relative inexperience to consider.

While some would argue that Massa will be ready to take on lead driver status - especially after spending 2003 being 'groomed' by Ferrari - Sauber could well favour a known quantity such as David Coulthard.

Coulthard would no doubt prefer a Williams if there was one on offer. But, if not, he could well see a Sauber as a more attractive proposition than a Jaguar.