Benetton secures Pizzonia.

Benetton has got its man - for the time being at least - after Antonio Pizzonia signed a short-term agreement with the Enstone outfit.

Benetton has been courting the British Formula Three championship leader star for some months, but appeared to have lost interest in him after he turned down the offer of a five -year contract. Now, having tested on two occasions with the team, Pizzonia has relented and signed a short-term, five-month, deal that ties him to Benetton until the end of the year.

In the likelihood that the Brazilian would evade its clutches, Benetton also offered a test to Italian Giorgio Pantano, and both drivers are currently slated to run with the team at Monza this week. Both are believed to be in line for a full-time testing seat with the team, although nothing has yet been confirmed.

Pizzonia also remains at the centre of speculation regarding the future of regular Benetton driver Alex Wurz, having been linked to the Austrian's seat ever since he was offered a test. His reluctance to accept a long-term deal, however, now seems to have cooled managing director Flavio Briatore's ardour.

''I was quite happy after Antonio's test in Valencia,'' the Italian said, ''The guy has talent, but he also has a long way to go before he makes it to F1.''