Fisichella set for Trulli swap?

The Italians could trade places if Benetton-Renault Sport boss Flavio Briatore decides to exercise his option on Trulli's services for the 2002 season. He has options on both drivers and has already made a firm commitment to keep Jenson Button at the Enstone-based squad, which becomes Renault Sport next season.

Briatore is though to have until August 14 to decide whether to keep Trulli on his books, but he is thought to have made an agreement with Eddie Jordan to reveal his decision to the Irishman after next weekend's German Grand Prix.

Trulli has been critical of Jordan this season, recently telling the Italian press: "I don't know what Eddie does with his money. We haven't made any big steps since last year. What is most annoying is that it's a good car, as we show in qualifying, so it would have been good with development. But, in the race, the gap doubles."

Although critical of Fisichella at the end of last season, Briatore has constantly backed him this year despite Benetton's lack of pace in comparison to the opposition. Briatore might feel that both drivers could do with a change of scenery, although Jordan would offer the stronger berth in the short term.

After a short stint with Minardi, Fisichella started his first full F1 season with Jordan in 1997 but has been with Benetton since 1998. Despite numerous podium finishes, he hasn't been able to win a race.

Trulli arrived on the F1 scene in '97 with Minardi and, after two seasons with Prost, moved to Jordan in 2000, but has since failed to match his pace with solid results. He qualified fourth for Sunday's British Grand Prix, with Fisichella unable to better 19th in his recalcitrant Renault-powered Benetton.