Fisichella holds Sauber talks

JORDAN’S Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella has held talks with Sauber about moving to the team next season.

The 30-year-old visited the Swiss-based outfit’s factory at Hinwil two days ago to meet team chief Peter Sauber as he looks for a more competitive drive for 2004.

Fisichella could replace either Nick Heidfeld or Heinz-Harald Frentzen whose contracts both run out at the end of this season.

Fisichella is widely regarded as having become disenchanted at the lack of progress being made at Jordan even though he scored his long-awaited maiden victory for the team in Brazil earlier this season.

The Rome-born driver is under contract with Jordan for next season but is understood to have get-out clauses in the deal and team chief Eddie Jordan has said he would not attempt to stop Fisichella from landing a more competitive drive.

Fisichella would move closer to his dream of racing for Ferrari by switching to Sauber, who are expected to again use the Italian team’s engines next season.