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

“Giancarlo did come to the factory,” Sauber spokesman Hanspeter Brack said. “It was for informal discussions and he also had a look around.

“Both our drivers’ contacts run out at the end of the season and they are free to talk to teams and Peter Sauber is also looking at his options. That is just normal process.”

Fisichella is widely regarded as having become disenchanted at the lack of progress being made at Irish-owned outfit 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 built into 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.

And he could also link up with Ferrari’s current test driver Felipe Massa who is also being tipped to drive for Sauber in 2004.

That would give Ferrari the opportunity to assess both drivers with a potential race seat available in 2005 with long-term doubts about the future of Rubens Barrichello.

Fisichella’s departure would also boost Ralph Firman’s chances of keeping the Jordan drive.