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VETERAN Grand Prix driver Jarno Trulli is as determined as ever to make his mark in Formula One as he prepares for the new season pushing himself and his new car to the limits whilst testing this week in Bahrain.
Fresh from last season's surprise podium success, the Italian hopes to make his 12th year competing at the highest level of motor sport a memorable one for Toyota.
He told GulfWeekly: "I don't plan to change my strategy at all this year. I will continue to be absolutely committed, to work as hard as possible with the team and to fight hard on the track - to me that's the only way to approach being a Formula 1 driver.
"From a personal point of view I am fit, motivated and ready. Pre-season testing has only just started and our first test of the year in Portimao was spoiled by the weather, but from what we experienced of the new car we are very happy. It is so difficult to compare with the other teams, especially considering the bad weather in Portimao, but the new car feels good and I am really optimistic.
"It's good to be testing again in Bahrain because the weather is so much better than in Europe at this time of year. We saw what can happen with the weather in our first test this year when we lost a lot of time due to the rain so Bahrain is a good option for us. I'm looking forward to doing a lot of laps in the new car because I have a good feeling about it.
"The facilities at Bahrain International Circuit are great and the fans at the track are enthusiastic. The track itself is quite interesting and also challenging for the car, particularly the brakes.
"You need good braking stability because there is heavy braking at the end of the long straights and then the heat creates an extra challenge. The track conditions change quite a bit during a race weekend as well; it starts off dusty and lacking in grip but improves later in the weekend while the wind can always be a bit of a problem."
Race critics acknowledge that Trulli is undoubtedly very fast. Over one lap, few drivers can match his accuracy, speed, and precision.
Yet others have raised doubts over his race craft highlighting his apparent lack of pace in races which on several occasions led to a significant portion of the field bunching up behind the Toyota. This phenomenon was dubbed 'the Trulli train' by sarcastic journalists and commentators.
He has also suffered some poor luck throughout his career, but there are times when he has simply failed to capitalise on his chances. Regardless, he still remains one of the sport's leading drivers and notably notched a second place in the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix behind Fernando Alonso in 2005.
Last season Trulli was hoping Toyota would make a big step forward when Timo Glock was confirmed as his team-mate.
He said: "Last year we knew our car was a big improvement compared to 2007 so we were confident we could score quite a lot more points. Our target and our expectation was to fight for points at every race and score points regularly. We also wanted to get back on the podium.
"It was clearly going to be a challenge to achieve our goal of returning to the podium because Ferrari and McLaren were strong from the start of pre-season but we worked really hard and we did it.
"Our points total from 2008 was more than 2006 and 2007 combined and we finished on the podium twice so we definitely achieved our main goals. Personally, it was disappointing to lose a few top-six results due to some bad luck but I had a very good season - one of my best.
"I had a lot of exciting races but my favourite memory was Magny-Cours because it was the team's first podium for more than two years and it was a great tribute to Ove Andersson (see editor's note).
"The French Grand Prix is quite special for me and that was a really emotional moment to be on the podium. It was a tough race because the conditions changed towards the end and I had to fight really hard, using all my experience."
This coming season the drivers and teams are facing new challenges as F1 gets to grips with the credit crunch and takes a new direction concerning the cars and the rules.
Trulli admitted: "To be honest, the new F1 cars are not really so nice to look at, but the important thing is that my car is quick; if it is quick then it is beautiful.
"The new rules have been introduced to make overtaking easier and theoretically they should do that. Practically I can't say whether they will be successful or not because it is difficult to judge after just one day testing the new car.
"I hope they have achieved this target and we will have more exciting racing for all of us. We are pushing really hard this season so please continue to support us!"
l Editor's note: Ove Andersson, a Swedish rally driving legend who made the switch to F1 management, died last summer when his car crashed during a vintage rally event in South Africa. He led Toyota Racing into Formula One in 2002 before retiring as team principal in 2003 to work as a consultant for the team. The Toyota F1 team paid tribute to Andersson at the French Grand Prix by adding a 'black band' to the car's livery in front of the cockpit. Jarno Trulli scored a podium finish, which was dedicated to Andersson.
