Will Fisichella stay at Jordan?

Fisichella has been linked to Sauber which, on the surface, would appear to be a strange move. But, there could be something to it. Fisichella was highly disappointed when Ferrari renewed Rubens Barrichello's contract for two years.

It is possible that he was black-balled by Michael Schumacher as a Ferrari driver, not necessarily because Schumacher is afraid of him but because Ferrari would be obliged to put more effort behind an Italian number two or face political upheaval at home.

If Ferrari is contemplating life after Michael and wants to take a closer look at Fisichella, however, they might even subsidise a seat at Sauber where he would be using their engines.

McLaren, meanwhile, does not seem to be on the agenda either. Asked about the oft-repeated maxim that McLaren won't deal with Italian drivers, Matteucci joked: "I don't know, but I think there could be something in it. Maybe Ron is still rebuilding his old chassis after Andrea de Cesaris!"

Fisichella has a firm Jordan contract for 2003 with some conditions for 2004, but may move "if something very big happens."

For that, read an offer from a top three team, although Fisi would also be free to go if Jordan did not have a works engine.

The team is thought likely to split with Honda but Matteucci said: "There is more than one works engine in the paddock. We are fully committed to the team and supporting them. We understand that it is difficult to put together a big package but we are close to Eddie, Ian Phillips and everyone. Our first priority is to win and our second is to win with Eddie."

As for a possible return to Renault, Matteucci said: "We don't have an offer from them. If there is one we will think about it. Everything can be evaluated and we came to Jordan free to do that. Last year we had four offers and one of them was Renault, but it was a conditional offer for a year and we know that in F1 a long-term agreement is much better than one year. Eddie had the belief in Giancarlo to sign a multi-year deal and to pay him well."