MARCH 9, 1998

Verstappen for Benetton?

HAVING lost out on a drive with Tyrrell to Brazilian Ricardo Rosset, Holland's Jos Verstappen is trying to resurrect his F1 career and is understood to be in negotiation with Benetton for the role of reserve and test driver. This is not a bad idea for the team which has two young and inexperienced drivers in Giancarlo Fisichella and Alexander Wurz. Verstappen has completed in 48 Grands Prix with Benetton, Arrows and Tyrrell and would help the team to push ahead with development work this year.

We understand that the Benetton test drive is worth around $750,000 to the team which Verstappen is trying to raise. Jos's manager former Grand Prix driver Huub Rothengatter was in the paddock in Melbourne.