F1: Webber wins test driver deal

MARK Webber says he is looking forward to the opportunity of working with Formula One drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Jenson Button next season after it was announced in Melbourne that the 24-year-old from Queanbeyan, NSW, had signed a long-term options agreement with Benetton F1 Team, and will test with the team in 2001.

Webber became the hot favourite to land the highly sought test driver role after impressing the team at Estoril in Portugal two months ago when he equalled and then bettered Fisichella's best lap time, earning the praise of the team's technical director, Pat Symonds.

"I really enjoyed the test at Estoril and working with the team" Webber said.

"They were all very supportive of what I was trying to achieve and have been great ever since.

"I think we've struck up a good rapport already but I'm looking to build upon it further and to provide genuine back-up to Giancarlo, Jenson and the engineers next season."Details of Webber's deal with Benetton, which will become the official Renault team in 2002, were unveiled by Victorian Premier Steve Bracks at the official launch of the 2001 Australian Grand Prix, of which Webber is an ambassador and will attend the event on 1-4 March in his official capacity as Benetton test driver.

Webber is required by Benetton to attend all grands prix in 2001.

He is expected to start testing soon in Europe and said if he could deliver the necessary "goods" next season, a full-time Formula One drive was the only step left.

"It's the deal I've been working towards," Webber said.

"It's a genuine, structured program and the team has taken me on because it wants to develop me as a Formula One driver.

"Providing I perform, there's no reason why it won't happen.

"A lot of people have put a lot of time, effort and commitment in to helping me to this stage, including my sponsors - Yellow Pages, Foster's, Transcomsoft.com, Computershare and Portsea Hotel - and I look forward to being able to share some very exciting times ahead with them."Webber also confirmed that, as part of the Benetton deal, he would compete in next season's FIA International Formula 3000 championship, although details of his drive still have to be finalised.

Webber was the top rookie and finished third in this year's series with the Arrows junior team, which is run and owned by UK-based Melbourne entrepreneur Paul Stoddart.