Through his manager Flavio Briatore (also Benetton’s MD), the Italian has a long-standing contract with the team, which will become Renault next season.

As with most things in F1, money seems to be behind the swap. It would apparently have cost Benetton a huge $10million to extend Fisichella’s contract – Trulli comes a lot cheaper, at about $5million. Briatore also has a long-term contract with Trulli and is rumoured to have wanted Eddie Jordan to pay $7.5million to release him from it.

Trulli hopes the move will enable him to compete with Formula One's top teams and claims he is "honoured" by Benetton's faith in him.
He said: "I feel very happy and honoured that a big team with a winning history and an innovative technical programme has chosen to invest in me. With Renault, I know I will be rapidly able to compete among the best and I sincerely hope to contribute to their ultimate success."

In an obvious dig at Jordan’s relaibility problems over the last two years Briatore is convinced Trulli's massive potential has not yet been fully realised.
"I am delighted that Jarno will be driving for us next year," he said. "We all know how motivated and competitive he is and I am sure he will be a major asset for the team.
"Jarno hasn't been able to show his full potential until now but I believe that our ambitious programme for the future will give a great boost to his career."