The future of the two Italians lies in the hands of Benetton boss Flavio Briatore � who also manages them both. He will apparently decide in the next fortnight which of the duo he wants to partner Jenson Button next season � with Eddie Jordan likely to snap up the other.

Briatore has already ruled out the possibility of both Fisichella and Trulli driving for Renault, as Benetton will be re-named next season. Button will keep his seat because Flavio reckons it is not a good idea to have two Italians in the team.

Briatore�s option on Trulli expires on August 14 but he has apparently promised Jordan a decision by the time the teams get to Hockenheim for the German Grand Prix in ten days� time. Jordan has made no secret of his desire to keep hold of Trulli but the Italian has frequently criticised the team in the press, not without good reason on occasion.

If Trulli does depart, Jordan will find a ready-made replacement in the form of Fisichella, who made his name in F1 with the Irish team back in 1997. His performance has been a bit mixed in recent years and he came under fire from Briatore last season when it was apparent he was not trying his hardest. This year, however, the little Roman has comprehensively outperformed team-mate Button so far this season.