Fisichella has Options Other than Benetton

Italian Giancarlo Fisichella says he would like to remain with the Benetton team next season but has other options if that is not possible.

"I don't know where I will drive next season or if I will still be a Benetton driver," Fisichella told a press conference near Vienna ahead of Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix.

"I would like to stay, I like the car and feel confident with it. But I do have other options."

"This weekend there will be a lot of rumours concerning (Canadian Jacques) Villeneuve," added Fisichella.

Villeneuve, world champion in 1997 and a driver with the less successful BAR team, has been associated with the Benetton team for next season.

Benetton has an option on both Fisichella, fifth in the drivers standings with 18 points, and his team mate Austrian Alexander Wurz until mid-August.

"I think Villeneuve will remain at BAR for a further year," said Wurz, who has not scored a point since finishing fifth at the Austrian race a year ago.

Wurz, who is not expected to have his Benetton contract renewed, said he would hold talks with various teams this weekend.

"I want to check the situation not just for myself but also to see what the others are doing," said Wurz.

"In this chess game it's very important to also know what the others are doing."

Wurz said he would like to continue working with Benetton next season and team boss Flavio Briatore, who brought him into Formula One three years ago.

Both Wurz and Fisichella will have a stronger engine this weekend, which the Austrian said was "the first big development by Renault since they bought the team."