Fisichella Rapped by Benetton

Benetton appear to be losing patience with Italian driver Giancarlo Fischella after he qualified 15th for Sunday's U.S. Grand Prix, four places behind team mate Alexander Wurz.

"The result this afternoon highlights the difference between our two drivers," said team managing director Flavio Briatore.

"Alex applied his mind to this race and studied everything carefully before arriving at Indianapolis. Giancarlo tried to rely on his talent which is no substitute for hard work."

Fisichella damaged his car on Friday when he collided with a tyre barrier in practice on a track which is new to all the drivers. The race will be the first grand prix in the U.S. since 1991.

Technical director Pat Symonds said: "Giancarlo...does not seem to have understood the circuit, which may be a result of his mistake on Friday which cost him valuable circuit time, but even so it is hard to understand why he is so slow."

Fisichella crashed in the warm-up for the Belgian Grand Prix in August and then in testing at Monza three days later. He finished 11th at the Italian Grand Prix when Wurz claimed his first points of the season by coming fifth.