Trulli predicts eventful race if wet

The Italian, who has started 25 races without scoring a point since joining Team Lotus last season, believes that provided the teams cars are there at the chequered flag, there is the possibility of getting a strong finish.

"If it is wet, it will be very mixed up," Trulli told AUTOSPORT. "It has always been the case here, even in the dry, with lots of yellow flags and safety cars. But it will be even more mixed up if it is still raining

"The target is to finish. As we know, anything can happen in a race like this, so if we manage to finish it will maybe give us the chance to take a good result. Whether it could be in the points or not, who knows?"

The 36-year-old admitted that he was surprised to outqualify Heikki Kovalainen for the first time this season. He will line up 19th after shading the Finn by 0.041 seconds during qualifying.

Trulli has struggled throughout the season with the lack of feedback given by Team Lotus's power steering, a problem that Kovalainen initially struggled with but has since adapted to.

The Italian, who has always favoured a car that gives him very precise feedback, accepts that qualifying pace will continue to be a weak point while the steering is as it is.

"I am very surprised by the margin that I am ahead," said Trulli. "If I can't fix the power steering, I can't get the best out of the car.

"Although I was surprised to be ahead, it shows that even as a driver who can't feel the car so well I am trying hard to get the best out of the car and out of myself. Once the power steering is sorted, I will be happier.

"I had quite good race pace on Friday. In general, we perform better in the race than in qualifying so I am confident that we can be good in the race. The question is what the weather will do."

Trulli opted for a normal dry weather set-up for qualifying. However, the team did try alternative braking materials during Saturday morning practice with a view to a possible wet race. Trulli opted to revert to standard brakes for qualifying, but Kovalainen did not.