Downbeat Trulli Rues Bad Luck

Jarno Trulli lamented his bad luck in today's final qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit.

Italian Trulli's hopes of a first pole were shattered by the weather after the Renault driver was fastest in Friday's first qualifying. Trulli failed to set a time, returning to the pits after his warm-up lap, and starts alongside Ralf Schumacher, whose lap was also affected by the rain.

It was the third time this season that Trulli failed to grab pole position after setting the fastest time on Friday.

"What can you say about that? Every race, I am fighting for my first pole position, and this weekend I was on course to get it," said Trulli. "We worked hard this morning, and I was very competitive, even if the times didn't necessarily make it look that way.

"Then, the rain came and destroyed my chances. Tomorrow's race will be tough, all the more so because it is very difficult to overtake here."

Spain's Fernando Alonso was fifth for Renault, despite the rain starting to fall during his flying lap.

"I was a little bit unfortunate today," said Alonso. "It started raining just as I went out, and even though the rain wasn't particularly heavy, it cost me a few tenths. I was pushing just as hard as in dry conditions, but the time wasn't there at the end of the lap: there wasn't as much grip, especially under acceleration.

"Even so, the car is well balanced and I am in a good position for tomorrow."