Happy Trulli wants to build on fourth

Jarno Trulli is confident his Toyota team can build on their strong Malaysian Grand Prix to enjoy a successful season.

The Italian driver completed a good weekend for the team in Sepang, qualifying in fifth place and going on to finish in fourth, his first points since last year`s Brazilian Grand Prix.

Trulli reckons Toyota can continue to show their potential and return to the performance level they had in 2005, when they finished in fourth place in the standings.

“It`s nice to be back in the points after such a strong race,” said Trulli. “I`m especially happy for the team both here and in Cologne. This result is mainly down to their work over the winter and I dedicate it to them.

“I had a difficult first corner when I lost grip, ran wide and touched Nick Heidfeld, losing a bit of ground. But after that I was able to keep up with the McLarens.

“Then we made it past Mark Webber as the team did a good job at the pitstops. At the end it was a great fight with Lewis Hamilton and we were pushing each other hard. He was obviously slightly quicker than me but I gave 100 percent and thanks to the team`s good job and the trouble-free weekend we took fourth.

“I just hope we can carry on improving the performance of the car, because as I mentioned at the end of winter testing we are looking strong. With Toyota`s potential we can bounce back to the 2005 level already this year.”

Teammate Timo Glock`s race finished after just one lap, after being hit by the Williams of Nico Rosberg.

“Unfortunately that was a short afternoon`s work,” he said. “The start wasn`t perfect, we had a bit too much wheelspin and I made contact with someone but I could continue okay. Then at turn 14 I was hit from behind by Nico Rosberg. When I looked in the mirror he was further back so I didn`t expect him to try to overtake where he did.

“Then when I turned in he hit me on the rear right, breaking my rear suspension and putting me out of the race. Again we had qualified well so this is a pity. Now we will just have to hope for better fortunes in Bahrain.”

23.3.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ Trulli    ▪ www.autosport.com