SEPTEMBER 2, 2000

Fisichella expected to be fit for Italian Grand Prix

GIANCARLO FISICHELLA is expected to be fit to race in the Italian Grand Prix on September 10, despite suffering an ankle injury after two big crashes in four days this week.

Fisichella is desperate to race for Benetton in his home grand prix and the team are confident he will recover from the ankle injury to line up on the grid as usual at Monza.

The 27-year-old had a medical check-up in Rome on Friday and will undergo a further examination on Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

The Italian sustained the injury after the second of two heavy shunts. The first crash came in the warm-up for the Belgian Grand Prix last Sunday and Fisichella followed this up with an accident in testing at Monza on Wednesday.

"We are confident there will be no problem with Giancarlo Fisichella driving at the Italian Grand Prix," said a Benetton spokesperson. "He is a tough character and will not want to miss this race."