The Renault formula-one team have parted company with Italian driver Jarno Trulli, the French outfit said on Tuesday, with three races in the 2004 world championship still to go.
Canada’s 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve will have two days of testing at Silverstone, United Kingdom, on Wednesday and Thursday before a decision will be taken on whether Villeneuve or Renault test driver Frank Montagny will take Trulli’s place.
”We have reached an agreement for Jacques [Villeneuve] to test for the team at Silverstone on Wednesday and Thursday,” said team boss Flavio Briatore.
”This test might lead to Jacques joining the team for the final three races of the season beginning next week at the Chinese Grand Prix.”
Trulli, who won this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, said last week that he has a contract to continue racing in formula one next season — but refused to reveal which team has signed him up.
He is almost certain to move to Toyota, who have already signed Williams driver Ralf Schumacher for 2005 and with French driver Olivier Panis set to retire at the end of the season.
The places left available with the top six teams on the grid for 2005 are at BAR or Williams, depending on who wins the fight for Briton Jenson Button’s services, and further down the grid at Sauber.
Trulli has become used to fighting at the front with Renault and has claimed two pole positions — including one at the last race in Belgium — and a total of 46 points this season.
But signs of discord emerged after Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix when Renault, who are bidding to retain their second place in the constructors’ world championship this season, dropped to third, three points behind BAR-Honda.
Trulli finished a disappointing 10th in Monza after ninth in the previous race in Belgium following troubles with the handling, leading to criticism from Briatore that it was difficult to conserve their second place with just one competitive car — Spanish pilot Fernando Alonso. — Sapa-AFP