Planet F1 - On this day, in 2001, Flavio Briatore announced Fernando Alonso would be making his F1 debut with Minardi. He was part of the Benetton-Renault launch the very next day.
![Benetton driver Giancarlo Fisichella of Italy (R) poses with Aboriginal dancer Makuma (L) in pit lane March 3. The Benetton team drivers received a spiritual welcome to Australia and had their faces Benetton driver Giancarlo Fisichella of Italy (R) poses with Aboriginal dancer Makuma (L) in pit lane March 3. The Benetton team drivers received a spiritual welcome to Australia and had their faces](https://c8.alamy.com/zooms/6/afd755510e314c9cb79d05b9cf0bafd2/2d5fc0g.jpg)
Benetton driver Giancarlo Fisichella of Italy (R) poses with Aboriginal dancer Makuma (L) in pit lane March 3. The Benetton team drivers received a spiritual welcome to Australia and had their faces
Gino Morillo Morales on Twitter: "Day 4. In 2000, #Alonso tested the # Benetton #B200, a car driven that season by #Fisichella and #Wurz. https://t.co/9c3ERHfWx1" / Twitter
![Benetton Formula 1 launch their new car for the 2001 season in St Marks Square Venice. Jenson Button and Giancarlo Fisichella with the new car Stock Photo - Alamy Benetton Formula 1 launch their new car for the 2001 season in St Marks Square Venice. Jenson Button and Giancarlo Fisichella with the new car Stock Photo - Alamy](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D31EM9/benetton-formula-1-launch-their-new-car-for-the-2001-season-in-st-marks-square-venice-jenson-button-and-giancarlo-fisichella-with-the-new-car-2D31EM9.jpg)