Michael Schumacher opposes the Senna trial which is going to start next month. Schumacher commented: "Formula One cars are prototypes and we pilots voluntary testers of those cars. We know the dangers and risks we take, but never think a team wouldn't do their best.

Damon Hill will be one of the persons who has to testify at the trial.

Benetton have landed a major sponsorship deal with the electric consumer company AKAI starting from 1997.

James H. Ting, Chairman and President of AKAI ELECTRIC Co. Ltd, said: "This sponsorship agreement, which represents a significant financial investment for AKAl, marks a new milestone and a major step in our will to strengthen the brand on the global market. We are glad to become a partner of the Mild Seven Benetton Renault Team. Our choice was easy: it is one of the top teams in the world, it conveys the right image and their mindset fits to our wishes of achieving a real long term partnership."

Benetton boss Flavio Briatore was very happy and said: "I am delighted to welcome AKAI ELECTRIC Ltd as our partner in Formula One. The Mild Seven Benetton Renault team and AKAI share the same marketing strategy and the same image of cutting edge technologies as well as a sense of power and dynamism mixed with great human excitement. I am confident that we will enjoy a long and fruitful partnership."

The Italian Oil company Agip will return to Formula One with the Benetton team. They had supplied the Ferrari team for 20 years but pulled out when Michael Schumacher came in, in 1995.

Briatore commented: "We welcome AGIP PETROLI back on the F1 circuits and we are pleased that Benetton Formula has played a major part in their come-back. I have no doubt that their competitive expertise and know how in the fuel and lubricants field will represent a major asset to the Mild Seven Benetton Renault team in our challenge for the 1997 World Championship. "

Benetton were left without on oil supplier when Elf announced that they would quit Formula One at the end of 1996.

The Ligier-Mugen team have signed Renato Moscati, formally with the Minardi team, as their track engineer for Olivier Panis.

Ligier will present their new car in Monaco next Tuesday.