- News>
- Motorsports
Fisichella yearns to race for a top Formula One team
London, July 23: Italy`s Giancarlo Fisichella, increasingly frustrated at Jordan, yearns to race for a top formula one team next year and says he has plenty of possibilities.
London, July 23: Italy's Giancarlo Fisichella, increasingly
frustrated at Jordan, yearns to race for a top formula one team next
year and says he has plenty of possibilities.
But the dream drive he covets more than anything -- alongside world champion Michael Schumacher at Ferrari -- remains a distant prize. The closest Fisichella has got recently is visiting the Swiss factory of Ferrari-powered Sauber, one team on a list of options that may also include a move to Jaguar, Toyota or Bar as well as remaining at Jordan if their fortunes improve.
''I went to see the new wind tunnel which is amazing, maybe it is the best now in formula one,'' Fisichella said at last weekend's British Grand Prix. ''It's not finished yet...But they look like a nice team -- it's not Mclaren, Williams or Ferrari but they have got the Ferrari engine which is maybe good for the future.
''I've not signed, I didn't talk about contracts or anything but it could be one option for next year.
''Bar, Jaguar, Toyota...I have to talk and see the best options not just for next year but especially for the future,'' he added.
''Even Jordan could be good if they have the Mercedes engine and there is a possibility to go to McLaren in 2005.''
Meanwhile Fisichella, voted the ''drivers' driver'' by his peers in this year's Formula One Awards, spends much of his time battling at the back.
Acclaimed by many insiders as one of the sport's top drivers, his season has had just one high -- an unexpected win in Brazil in a crash-strewn and rainswept race cut short while he was leading.
But there have been plenty of lows.
Asked which he considered the worst, Fisichella smiled as he replied bleakly: ''now. The last couple of races. The next one. Already the next one.''
The Roman is managed by former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine's old friend Enrico Zanarini and there has been much speculation about his future but little action.
Ferrari have Schumacher under contract to the end of 2006 while Brazilian Rubens Barrichello's seat is confirmed to the end of next year.
Media speculation has suggested that Fisichella could join Ferrari's test driver Felipe Massa at Sauber where the two men could be compared to one another in an effective shoot-out for the Ferrari seat when it becomes available.
There have also been rumours that Mclaren's partners mercedes could provide Jordan with engines and use that team to try out future driver options.
''I just want to race with a team with a possibility to move in 2005 into one of the best teams,'' said Fisichella.
''If it's not possible then maybe I will stay two or three years with the same team.
''I hope it can be Ferrari. It's my target. The car is very good and maybe now is the time to give the car to an Italian driver,'' he said.
Bureau Report.
But the dream drive he covets more than anything -- alongside world champion Michael Schumacher at Ferrari -- remains a distant prize. The closest Fisichella has got recently is visiting the Swiss factory of Ferrari-powered Sauber, one team on a list of options that may also include a move to Jaguar, Toyota or Bar as well as remaining at Jordan if their fortunes improve.
''I went to see the new wind tunnel which is amazing, maybe it is the best now in formula one,'' Fisichella said at last weekend's British Grand Prix. ''It's not finished yet...But they look like a nice team -- it's not Mclaren, Williams or Ferrari but they have got the Ferrari engine which is maybe good for the future.
''I've not signed, I didn't talk about contracts or anything but it could be one option for next year.
''Bar, Jaguar, Toyota...I have to talk and see the best options not just for next year but especially for the future,'' he added.
''Even Jordan could be good if they have the Mercedes engine and there is a possibility to go to McLaren in 2005.''
Meanwhile Fisichella, voted the ''drivers' driver'' by his peers in this year's Formula One Awards, spends much of his time battling at the back.
Acclaimed by many insiders as one of the sport's top drivers, his season has had just one high -- an unexpected win in Brazil in a crash-strewn and rainswept race cut short while he was leading.
But there have been plenty of lows.
Asked which he considered the worst, Fisichella smiled as he replied bleakly: ''now. The last couple of races. The next one. Already the next one.''
The Roman is managed by former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine's old friend Enrico Zanarini and there has been much speculation about his future but little action.
Ferrari have Schumacher under contract to the end of 2006 while Brazilian Rubens Barrichello's seat is confirmed to the end of next year.
Media speculation has suggested that Fisichella could join Ferrari's test driver Felipe Massa at Sauber where the two men could be compared to one another in an effective shoot-out for the Ferrari seat when it becomes available.
There have also been rumours that Mclaren's partners mercedes could provide Jordan with engines and use that team to try out future driver options.
''I just want to race with a team with a possibility to move in 2005 into one of the best teams,'' said Fisichella.
''If it's not possible then maybe I will stay two or three years with the same team.
''I hope it can be Ferrari. It's my target. The car is very good and maybe now is the time to give the car to an Italian driver,'' he said.
Bureau Report.