Italian driver Jarno Trulli got behind the wheel of a Toyota for the first time on Thursday just hours after being confirmed as one of the team’s new drivers for the 2005 formula-one season.
Trulli, who was dropped by Renault following last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza, wasted no time in getting to know his new teammates by taking part in testing at Silverstone.
”I’ve arrived at Toyota a bit earlier than I expected, but in formula one you have to be ready for anything, and this is what sometimes happens,” said Trulli, who will have Ralf Schumacher as his teammate next season.
”The Toyota team has given me a splendid welcome and we’ve already started to work well together in our first day of testing. It’s also nice to be working again with Mike Gascoyne, who is an excellent engineer.
”It’s still too early to judge the car. I’ve found some very good, positive aspects to the package, while there are parts which can still be improved. But I think everyone in the team knows the problems which require work.
”All the team’s drivers will work well together with the rest of the team to work on improving the car’s speed for the future. There’s a good atmosphere and a nice bunch of people and it’s good to get started early in preparation for 2005.”
Trulli put in 81 laps in his new car, clocking a best time of one minute and 17,653 seconds.
Olivier Panis, who will leave Toyota at the end of this season, put in 157 laps and timed 1:17,283.
Earlier on Thursday, Toyota confirmed Trulli would join the team from 2005 on a two-year contract.
The Italian is one of only four drivers to have won a grand prix in 2004, having dominated the Monaco GP to take his maiden race victory.
In his eight seasons in formula one, Jarno has been on the podium four times and scored two pole positions.
”Jarno has really shown his maturity and all-round talent this season, both in qualifying and in races, and we believe that he will be the perfect teammate to Ralf at Toyota from next season,” said Toyota chief Tsutomu Tomita. — Sapa-AFP