British newspaper The Guardian, is reporting that Giancarlo Fisichella has signed a two-year deal with Renault.

According to the report, the Italian has "snubbed" WilliamsF1, and instead opted to drive for the Flavio Briatore managed team.

In May this year, the Guardian reported that Jacques Villeneuve might test for WilliamsF1 at Paul Ricard, with a source claiming that the Canadian had been spotted at the track. It was later revealed that the 1997 World Champion wasn't even in France.

The report also claims that WilliamsF1, having been "snubbed" by Fisichella, is now facing a serious problem in its search for a second driver - assuming that the signing of Mark Webber is a done deal - as a result of the Grove outfit's "dithering".

"Williams look as though they have misjudged things badly," says a source. "Instead of getting on and closing a deal with Fisichella, they have been dithering around wondering whether they might try Mika Hakkinen or Jacques Villeneuve when in fact they needed to move quickly. They're now in the position where they've got a limited choice available to them."

A Renault spokesman confirmed to pitpass this morning that an announcement will be made this week, but refused to comment on the Fisichella story.