Delighted Trulli Hoping for Points Finish

Jarno Trulli said on Saturday that he could not have had a better start to the season after finishing a lucky second in the opening qualifying session for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.

Italian Trulli got a break with the weather as he finished 2.099 seconds behind fellow fortunate Giancarlo Fisichella, who set his pole position time just before a downpour drenched the track.

But Trulli believes his team's performances in the opening practice sessions were more relevant to guage the season ahead and he said: "The car has felt good all weekend, the performance is there.

"I couldn't have a better start to the season. With the new format it is a bit of a gamble, we have seen today, and we will have to play it by ear tomorrow. It would be nice to score points, but anything can happen."

Trulli joined the team from Renault last season and raced for them in the season-ending Chinese and Brazilian Grands Prix in preparation for his first full season at the Germany-based Japanese outfit this year.

He finished well ahead of new teammate Ralf Schumacher, who was unlucky with the weather and finished 17th, and he knows he is now the team's best bet for scoring points in the season opener.

"It would be nice to start season well with my new team, bring some points and improve our performance from now until the end of the season," the Italian added.