Italian Driver Giancarlo Fisichella will race for the Benetton Grand Prix team next year, the team announced yesterday. A team spokeswoman confirmed the announcement meant Benetton would drop at least one of its current drivers, Gerhard Berger or Jean Alesi, for 1998, but declined to comment further.

Alesi, who raced for Jordan before entering Formula One, has been reported to be discussing switching places with Fisichella for 1998.

Berger is returning to his Benetton cockpit at next weekend's German Grand Prix after missing three races because of sinus operations. He has said he is unsure about continuing Grand Prix racing next year, which would be his 15th Formula One season.

Fisichella, 24, had been loaned to the Jordan Peugeot team this season, after debuting in Formula One with Minardi last year.

Benetton managing director Flavio Briatore said: "We have been impressed by his performance and had no hesitation in exercising our option so that he can drive for us next year. We think he will have a very bright future."

Fisichella, whose current teammate is Ralf Schumacher, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for me, and I am looking forward very much to next season."