Trulli Awaits Renault Decision Despite Jordan Deal

Jarno Trulli's manager Lucio Cavuto has revealed that the Italian driver has reached an agreement to remain with Jordan next year, but he will have to wait for Renault to make a decision about his future.

"We found an agreement with Eddie [Jordan] after Hockenheim and it is now up to Renault to give us the possibility to stay with Jordan," said Cavuto. "It is not the decision of [Benetton boss] Flavio [Briatore], it is up to Renault. Before, it was Benetton who owned Jarno's contract so in this situation Renault now owns Jarno.

"First we wanted to find a solution with Jordan, which we did, so it is up to Renault. I expect an announcement in Hungary."

Trulli's contract was owned by Briatore, who announced last year that he wanted to take the Italian driver to Benetton alongside Jenson Button in 2002.

Cavuto said Trulli is keen on the prospect of racing alongside Jean Alesi, who joined Jordan in place of the sacked Heinz-Harald Frentzen and is expected to be confirmed to stay at Jordan for 2002. And he said that it would be a good partnership to continue into next year as well as just the final five races of this season.

"For sure," he said of the long-term prospect. "Jarno and Jean are big friends from a long time and it is great for Jarno to have him as a team mate in Formula One. We would like it to continue, but it is not up to us to decide."

The Renault-owned Benetton team are yet to confirm their drivers line-up for 2002, and while Button still has a year of contract left with them, Italian Giancarlo Fisichella has been linked with a possible move to Jordan.