Q+A with Jarno Trulli15.01.2009

What are your expectations for 2009?

I expect Toyota to be competitive again. Beyond that I cannot say; we will have to wait and see what the first few races hold. I am a very confident person and I am always optimistic so again this season I have high hopes, but I know from my experience that whatever I say in the winter doesn’t really count for much when the season starts – the important thing is what we do on the track. I hope I can fight for Toyota’s first victory; that is my dream. Formula 1 is extremely competitive at the moment so I expect this season to be exciting and very interesting; I am looking forward to it.

Do you believe Toyota can win a race this season?

I hope we can build on the progress we showed in 2008 and challenge for the team’s first win. Formula 1 is a team game, you win and lose together, and Toyota did a very good job last year which allowed me to be competitive and fight at the front. I am full of hope for this season. You need to build strong foundations before you can win. It is like a house; you cannot start by building the roof. We have established the foundations and I believe we can build a winning team. In 2008 we made a huge improvement and took a big step in the right direction so I hope now this year we can be a top team. I am confident in my own ability so if I am given a competitive car I know I can deliver the results.

Are you happy to be racing alongside Timo Glock again?

It’s great to be working with Timo again this year. We had a lot of fun last year together and we achieved a lot in terms of improving car performance. We have a good relationship and I’m sure we will build on that this year. He’s a fast driver and a nice guy so I’m looking forward to see what we can achieve this year. Timo and I are capable of delivering strong results if the car is competitive, so I hope we have the chance to fight at the front this season.

What is your opinion of the new regulations?

It is a big change and whenever you make a change like this, it is impossible to predict how it will affect each team. Toyota has the capability to adapt to these regulations as well or better than any other team so I am hoping it will give us a good opportunity. You can say I am cautiously optimistic. One thing is for sure, there will be bigger gaps between teams next season and bigger fluctuations in performance. It was so close last year because we had a period of quite stable rules, but always when you make a big change, the grid is spread out more, so I expect that will be the case this year.

Will the new regulations make overtaking easier?

They should make overtaking easier but that would not be very difficult as it was nearly impossible in the last few years! You had to be really committed and a lot faster to attack another car; it was possible and I did several good moves last season but it was far from easy. We won’t know until we are racing in Australia if the rule change really works as they have planned but I can understand the logic and I hope it works. I really enjoy fighting on the track and it can be frustrating when you are quicker than the car in front but just cannot get past because the aero makes such a difference. Whatever happens, I do not expect overtaking will be easy because we are racing with the best drivers in the world and it can never be easy to overtake.

Are you happy with the return to slick Bridgestone Potenza tyres?

I am very pleased to be racing on slick tyres again because they give more feel to a driver and they are much more fun to drive with than the grooves. I am very much looking forward to trying out a new set of slicks on a flying lap in qualifying; that will be great fun!

At 34, how would you describe yourself as a driver?

First of all, I don’t think in terms of age or how many Grands Prix I have competed in. They are just numbers and I am not really interested in numbers. The fact is, I love driving, I love competing and I love the challenge of Formula 1. This sport is the focus of my life and I am completely dedicated to it. Nowadays in Formula 1 the competition is so close and it is so difficult to get everything exactly right that you have to be totally committed if you are going to succeed. Being a fast driver is not enough now; a Formula 1 driver needs to be completely motivated and committed, and I am.

Is Formula 1 still a pleasure for you?

Absolutely. I am having a lot of fun at the moment and I am really happy to be a Toyota driver in Formula 1. It is very rewarding to see the progress we have made and to feel part of such a positive change. Obviously, racing is more fun when you have a competitive car and you are fighting at the front so I enjoyed last season a lot, but it doesn’t change my motivation because I am always fighting for the best possible result, whatever that is. We are looking strong and I believe, after all the bad luck I have had in the past, I am due some pay back!