Fisichella had Flashbacks after Testing Crash

Benetton's Giancarlo Fisichella, ninth in qualifying for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix, says he has fully recovered from his 200 kph crash in testing at Monza 10 days ago.

"I feel fine now and I am confident but for three days after the accident I was a little bit confused and shaken, especially when I closed my eyes to go to sleep, because I saw the image of the accident here in Monza again," Fisichella told Reuters.

The Italian, sixth in the drivers' championship, escaped from the crash with bruising and he sees no reason why he cannot put up a good showing on his home turf on Sunday.

"I was reasonably satisfied with ninth, as I was aiming for eighth position. It isn't a bad result and I think I am in good shape for tomorrow (Sunday)," said the 27-year-old on Saturday.

"My aim for the rest of this season is to get myself up into fifth position and to take Benetton to third in the constructor's championship. I think both those aims are realistic."

Fisichella may be performing in his homeland at a track he knows well from his days in Formula 3, but he is aware that the vast majority of the 100,000 crowd will be cheering on the Ferrari duo of German Michael Schumacher and Brazilian Rubens Barrichello.

"It is a little strange for me but Ferrari are big all over the world so you can imagine what it is like when they race here in Italy. But it doesn't concern me and I am sure there will be people here hoping that I do well," said Fisichella.

Fisichella's crash at Monza came on the heels of a heavy crash in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa but the two accidents have not dimmed his enthusiasm for the sport.

"I think next season could be really exciting. We will have a new engine, a new team and a lot of new people getting involved at all levels. I think we will be very competitive."

Fisichella's best finish this season was second at the Brazilian Grand Prix and he currently lies two points behind fifth-placed Williams driver Ralf Schumacher.

Benetton are fourth in the constructors' championship, 12 points adrift of Williams.