Fisichella Ready to Resume Testing

Formula One driver Giancarlo Fisichella will be back in action on Monday after knee surgery last month.

A Benetton team spokeswoman said on Thursday that the Italian, his new British teammate Jenson Button and Australian test driver Mark Webber would all be at the southern Spanish Jerez track from Monday to Wednesday.

Benetton will introduce their new Formula One car on February 6. The spokeswoman said the new Renault-powered car for the 2001 season will be launched at a so far unspecified location.

Some media reports have suggested that it will be in Venice, near the Benetton family's Treviso headquarters, for what will be the last launch under the Italian company's name before the team becomes Renault in 2002.

Benetton said Fisichella was fully recovered but resting following the minor arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on December 18.

The Italian was quoted in Britain's Autosport magazine on Thursday as saying the Renault-owned team could be on the brink of their best season for years.

"I think Benetton will be one of the strongest teams in 2001, especially on the driver front," he said.

"But I am not going to act any differently because Jenson is my teammate. I will just have to do the maximum everywhere," said Fisichella.

"It depends on a lot of things coming together but now I feel I am very strong mentally and physically and I feel confident.

"It's my target to win my first race, to be competitive everywhere and score a lot of points."