JULY 4, 2001

Button will get better, says Fisichella

BENETTON driver Giancarlo Fisichella expects team-mate Jenson Button to produce an impressive performance in the British Grand Prix to silence his critics.

Button, who finished fifth at Silverstone with Williams last year, has not made a big impression with Benetton this year, but Fisichella believes that the 20-year-old will enjoy more success in the second-half of the season.

"I am sure for the rest of the season it is going to be much closer," said Fisichella of the competition between the pair. "I am a bit surprised at his pace because Jenson for me is a very quick driver, but he needs more experience."

Button has qualified above Fisichella only once in the last nine Grands Prix and the Italian, who was, like Button, tipped for future stardom at the start of his career, definitely has the edge.

However, Fisichella has 83 races to his name to Button's 26 and things can only get better for the young Benetton loan star.

"The car is not good, so my job is to just be quicker than my team-mate," said Fisichella. "And I am happy about that."