Trulli says Toyota can fight for third

The Italian has been buoyant throughout winter testing after the TF108 proved a big step forward compared to last year's car, with which the Japanese squad struggled for pace on their way to a disappointing sixth place in the championship.

Trulli reckons Ferrari and McLaren are in a league of their own, but he believes Toyota can be the third strongest team if they push hard during the season.

"Ferrari and McLaren apart, there is quite a big group led by a few tenths by BMW," Trulli told reporters in Australia. "And then the rest like Toyota, Williams, Renault and Red Bull - we are all very close together.

"And it's down to the conditions, track, circumstances to be ahead or slightly behind. With the resources we have, to push harder throughout the season and improve the car, we have a chance to catch up with the teams at the front."

He added: "I think the team has understood our situation and we're very close to being third in the constructors' championship if we do a good job and we just need an extra boost in terms of car development.

"And they are really motivated because they've seen from last year to this year we've got a much more competitive car - so we can do it."

Trulli also played down suggestions that his position at the team has been strengthened following the exit of Ralf Schumacher and the arrival of Timo Glock.

"Not really. At the moment, the team is probably listening to me more carefully because I am the one with more experience inside the team but Timo has had the right input since the very beginning and his feedback has been very good and he's got up to the pace straight away.

"There's never been a number one and two driver but it's nice to be in a team where both drivers have the same feeling. Fresh air helps the team - and I think this is what the team was looking for."

And the Italian admits he is getting along very well with his new teammate.

"Very well. He's a very nice guy, first of all," he said. "And it's good to work with him because he's very open and we talk to each a lot about the car when he has a problem and some issues, he just comes to me because I am not only more experience but also have more experience in this team so I know the car.

"And I'm completely open with him because he's a nice person and he's very quick. He just has to learn a few things about F1 that won't come so easily."