Webber Confident of F1 Drive in 2002

Australian Mark Webber is confident of landing a Formula One drive next season following a year as tester for the Renault-owned Benetton team.

Webber, lying in second place in the F3000 championship, said Benetton boss Flavio Briatore is trying to find him a drive for 2002 and the Australian added he could end at the Minardi team, owned by fellow countryman Paul Stoddart, who already worked with Webber in F3000.

"Flavio said at the weekend that he would like to have me in F1 next year and he would do his best to find me a seat," Webber told news.com.au. "I've just got to keep my head down and keep focused.

"You never know, I could be in a Minardi - it depends on what's bolted onto the back of the chassis," he added. "All the team bosses know each other pretty well and we are the pawns in a big game of chess who get moved around so hopefully I'm in there somewhere."

Webber, who has done a successful job as test driver for Benetton, believes Briton Jenson Button is struggling to keep his place at the team following a disappointing season.

"He is hanging on by his fingernails and has had a hard time blending in at Benetton," Webber said. "Jenson will come out of it okay, he's a good driver but in his second season the pressure is on."

Button, who moved to Benetton at the start of 2001, had not scored a point until last Sunday's German Grand Prix, where he finished in fifth place.