Mark Webber to test for Benetton

The Benetton Formula One team will be giving a testing opportunity to Mark Webber, the driver of the European Arrows F3000 team.

Webber, who is currently third in the F3000 championship standings, has also acted as the official Arrows F1 test driver, until he and the team failed to come to an agreement over some contractual issues.

He will take part in a bried test with the Benetton team after next wekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, and then participate in a rigorous three-day test at Estoril from 12 to 14 September.

"I was absolutely stoked when they phoned me and confirmed they were going to give me a run in the car," said Webber. "The September test is very exciting for me and it's going to be a case of grabbing the bull by the horns and doing the best job I can."

So far this year Benetton has utilized the services of F3 star Antonio Pizzonia and of Giorigio Pantano. However, with Pizzonia chasing a full-time F1 seat for 2001, and with Pantano's limited experience, team boss Flavio Briatore feels the need to find the right test driver for the 2001 season.

"We want to get some discipline into the testing and I don't want the race drivers in the car every day, so we need someone."

Benetton has been purchased by Renault, and will be utilizing works Renault engines in 2001.