Trulli: « I don’t see Alonso at Toyota »

Jarno Trulli advised Fernando Alonso, his former teammate and friend from Renault, not to accept a possible offer from the Toyota team in 2008.

The Italian arrived within the Japanese team at the end of 2004 and has been striving since then to achieve impressive performances.

After the announced departure of Ralf Schumacher, Trulli’s teammate for 2008 has not yet been confirmed, but Toyota bosses claim they would be happy to welcome the double world champion to their team.

Asked in an interview for the Spanish newspaper El Mundo if he wanted to race alongside Alonso again, Trulli replied: « I would be very happy. »

« I never had any problems with him and we got along really well at Renault. But honestly, I don’t see him coming here, » the Italian stated.

When asked why, Trulli said that the team was not technically ready to make a commitment at the driver level because, at present, Alonso is the media leader of F1.

« The team hosting Fernando must have the car adapted to the caliber of this driver. This season, we have only gained twelve points, so I don’t think the team is able to meet this condition, » explained Trulli.

Everything the 33-year-old driver says is that the only thing Toyota can afford to offer Alonso at the moment is (a) lot of money »

« I am not bothered with the conduct, but only by the results. These are very frustrating, » he admitted.

When asked about the problem Toyota has been facing since entering Formula 1 in 2002, Trulli replied: “We haven’t found the key to winning races.”

« Each year, we have had problems. When I arrived in 2005, it was a very difficult season, but it turned out to be the best of the three since I’ve been here, » concluded the Italian.