Trulli

	Fisichella

They have more than a couple things in common. They are both Italian, highly rated, well paid and both are still waiting for their first victory -- and, oh yeah, both have never been courted by Ferrari.

Italy's Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli are racing in their home event at Monza this weekend. But this is Ferrari country and that makes things a little bit tough for the two drivers.

In Italy, Ferrari's test drivers Luca Badoer and Luciano Burti usually get more media coverage than Trulli, who drives for Renault and Fisichella, who drives for Jordan.

"Well, they are not talking about test drivers, they are basically talking about Ferrari and this is the best thing we have in Italy," Trulli said. "But it's a bit frustrating. It's just the way it is; you cannot change it because Ferrari is winning. We are just here trying to do a good job and we are in Formula One, trying to get a good result, but Ferrari is winning now so you cannot say anything about it."

Fisichella agrees.

"It's obviously not normal and it's not good for us, but Ferrari is Ferrari in the world so you can imagine (what it is like) in Italy," Fisichella said. "So, for us it is no good, (nor) for the sponsors nor the press, but that's life. Maybe the best thing is to have two Italian drivers in the Ferrari cars."

But Italian drivers in Ferraris are rare. The last Italian to race a full season for Ferrari was Michele Alboreto who drove for the team from 1984 through '88. You have to go back to 1973 and Arturo Merzario to find the time before that when an Italian drove for Ferrari.

An exception could be made for Jean Alesi. While he was born and lives in France, Alesi has Sicilian parents and was famous for his fiery Italian temperament when he raced in F1. So maybe he should be considered as another Italian Ferrari driver as he was with the team from 1991 to '95.

It all goes back to Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari who stopped hiring Italian drivers because of all the grief the Italian media gave him about the subject.

With Michael Schumacher in residence at Ferrari since 1996 and staying there until at least the end of 2004, and with Rubens Barrichello on board from 2000 through 2004, Ferrari isn't looking for any drivers at the moment.

Brazil's Barrichello says he has an Italian passport -- which he really does -- so there is no need for Ferrari to hire an Italian driver.

Still, it's ironic that Fisichella and Trulli are considered to be top stars and the best drivers from Italy, yet Ferrari has never come knocking at their door.

	Jarno Trulli could go unnoticed this weekend in the Italian Grand Prix unless he lands on the podium.

"We don't know why," Fisichella said. "I have really no idea. I never spoke with them. Maybe they are not interested in Italian drivers. But at the moment I am a Jordan driver and I want to do my best with them, and I am sure it is possible in the future."

Unlike many Italians, neither Trulli nor Fisichella were huge Ferrari fans when they were kids. Nor did they ever get a chance to watch a Grand Prix or any other race at the hallowed Monza circuit.

"When I was young I was following just races close to my house in Rome," Fisichella said. "The circuit there was Vallelunga, and there was Formula Three, Formula Two and some other categories. I was a Ferrari fan, but for me the drivers were much more important ... drivers like Niki Lauda, Gerhard Berger, Ayrton Senna, even Jean Alesi."

Fisichella remembers his first seasons in F1 -- 1996 and '97 -- when he saw idols like Alesi and Berger.

"I was not so young," he said, "but when I was racing with them I was very excited. I remember the first time, at the first (driver's) briefing. For me it was like a dream."

As a youngster, Trulli was also more impressed with drivers rather than marquees like Ferrari.

"When I was young I never had the chance to come and see Formula One," Trulli said. "And when I was young I was more supporting drivers than cars. I supported Ferrari when Gilles Villeneuve was there, but basically I was a Niki Lauda supporter."

Even though this weekend's Grand Prix is in the heart of Ferrari country, Fisichella is still looking forward to competing at Monza.

"I won many races in Formula Three here and it was one of my most favorite tracks," he said. "It's still one of my favorites. It's my home Grand Prix so we have a lot of Italian fans here. They are pushing especially for Ferrari, but also the Italian drivers, so it's a very important race weekend for me. I hope to do well. It's not easy because we are not so competitive but you never know."

Trulli's last two Italian events have ended on the first lap, so he is hoping this year's race lasts a bit longer. He, too, enjoys the atmosphere and fan support at Monza.

"It's definitely a great feeling because we've got so much support," Trulli said. "We know there are a lot of Ferrari fans which eventually support us as well. I've also got a lot of fan clubs coming here, and I especially like the atmosphere in Monza. I don't know why, but it's so different to every other circuit. It's such a warm place where you can see a lot of supporters and a lot of real Formula One fans, so I like it very much."

Fisichella and Trulli will have something else in common this weekend. Both don't have a car capable of challenging for the victory, especially as Ferrari is so dominant this season.

"It's a shame that we come here to Monza (and can't do better) in front of our fans," Trulli said.

"What I hope for Sunday is just to score some points because it's going to be very difficult," Fisichella said. "Maybe in the case of wet conditions, it could be easier for us, and you never know, we could get on the podium. But it's always very difficult."

Such is the life of being an Italian driver in his home Grand Prix.

Dan Knutson covers Formula One for National Speed Sport News.