Gascoyne Sings Trulli's Praises

Toyota technical director Mike Gascoyne has questioned why the Renault team would want to part ways with Jarno Trulli after the Italian was linked to the Japanese squad.

"What does the bloke have to do?," Gascoyne, who joined Toyota from Renault, said on Friday. "I've always said over one lap I think he's one of the quickest guys out there. He's been consistent and really he's been carrying Renault. He's why they are second in the Championship at the end of the day."

Toyota have several options but a pairing of Trulli and Ralf Schumacher, who will join the Japanese carmakers from Williams at the end of the season, looks likely.

"You want quick people," said Gascoyne. "We are very well aware we need someone who will get on with Ralf and not wind him up."

Trulli could be heading for Toyota after a season with Renault which has brought him a first win and a few depressing lows.

"Anything can happen in Formula One and at the moment I just don't know," the Italian, who has been linked to Toyota in media reports, said about his future on Friday.

"Maybe there will be a new challenge," added the 30-year-old, speaking in a low voice after recovering from a vocal chord problem that had forced him to type his answers to interviews on a laptop for weeks.

Renault were full of praise for Trulli after he posted his first victory in Monaco in May, the only race so far this season that Michael Schumacher has not won.

Criticism of the gifted but inconsistent Italian driver, who has been hit by hard luck for years, soon returned after a mistake two corners from the finish earlier this month in Magny-Cours cost his team a podium placing.

Renault boss Flavio Briatore said after that race that Trulli was free to talk to other teams and speculation has not stopped since.

"It's been a funny season," Trulli said. "Monaco was the absolute highlight for me and Magny-Cours was a low point. I have had great moments with Renault and I am proud to have helped the team become more competitive," he added.

"The decision on my future is not only mine but I think a driver should be judged on an entire season, not on just one race."