Interview with Jarno Trulli

That option, the result of the need to cut costs, meant there was no chance for formal press conferences to allow the team's drivers to declare that ambitions for the season.

However, autosport.com was one of a few selected media able to speak to Jarno Trulli - as the Italian set out his target to achieve Toyota's first victory. It is a result that he not only wants, but thinks is vital for the future of the team.

Q. After Honda pulled out of Formula One in December, was there a point where you were worried that you would not be sat here now?

Jarno Trulli: To be honest I asked myself what was going on. When Honda pulled out it was a big shock for everyone. But we are talking about Toyota, which I think is a different matter to Honda - although I cannot judge them.

Given the problem of the worldwide (economic) system, you can imagine anything at the moment. But Toyota were strong enough, and the message was clear that they are committed to F1. I was straight away very confident we would carry on.

Q. Are you confident for the future?

JT: I believe Toyota are committed to F1, but they are only committed if there is a reason to stay in F1. And that means being one of the top teams. This is a key season for teams like Toyota, as we believe there is finally enough experience to be on top. That is what we have to do, to deliver on the results.

Q. You were quoted earlier today as saying that you felt a win was vital to keep Toyota in F1. Is there pressure on the team to deliver this season?

JT: I feel Toyota have come to an age and a situation where we really need to deliver. We need to do that in order to justify the reason to stay in F1. I won't say it is vital, but it is very, very important nowadays. In the past few seasons, Toyota were a little bit up and down. But we had a good season last year, with good performance and a good atmosphere, and I hope we can now deliver good results. It's time to make a step and join the top three teams.

Q. What about the feelings about yourself? Do you still feel you have plenty offer?

JT: I can feel this year is going to be right. I feel with the right car I am going to deliver the good results they expect from me. Somehow I am confident, even in this climate of tension, distraction and difficulties. I feel quite relaxed and that I can do it. Let's see what can happen.

Q. You have talked about winning races again. Do you feel more optimistic about that than you have been in the past?

JT: I think so, especially as last year I was a little bit disappointed with the Brazilian Grand Prix. I hoped to get on the podium, and I hoped to fight for the win in the rain, but the race didn't go as expected.

But I carried on this feeling that Toyota are finally getting stronger and we might have the chance to win races. We want to be on the top and share the podium during the season, and I believe Toyota have come to an age where we have to put a victory in our hands.

Q. Is there pressure on you to help Toyota achieve their targets?

JT: There is pressure on anyone, but I don't feel it so much. It is part of the job, as every year there is pressure. We know we have to deliver some very good results but this is not only down to me, it's down to everybody - the whole team and drivers. We need to deliver the best possible results and I hope the team will be strong enough to deliver a good car, and once I have a good car I can deliver results on the track.

Q. With all the rules changes this year, what do you think the fans can expect to see?

JT: This year is going to be an interesting season because it is going to be mixed up, especially at the beginning. The main rule changes are the introduction of slick tyres and a completely radical aero configuration, so the whole team have been trying to work out in the winter which direction is the best.

But these are not the only new things. We have all heard because of cost cutting that there are three or four races for the engine, with no testing. It is all part of the business and the team have to deal with it. It will have a big impact, especially in the first half of the season because we are not going to have any clear picture of everybody's form. Some teams start well, other teams are not strong enough or able cope with the best. It will be interesting, as it has always been after a radical rule change.

Q. What about KERS?

JT: There is another question mark which all teams have, KERS. We don't know the KERS, what will happen, or who will use it? There are so many question marks on this. We don't know what the advantage is, and what the disadvantage is.

Q. What impact will KERS have on the racing?

JT: It is difficult at the moment to judge it. We haven't tested it or raced it with anyone else on track. I cannot say if F1 will be more spectacular or not. The rule changes are made to be more spectacular - this is what they are supposed to do, so I just hope it is going to go in this direction.

Q. Some drivers have expressed concerns about front wings flying off after contact. Are you afraid of this?

JT: Obviously the front wing is very, very wide this year, and it is not only the fact that it is wide that complicates things. Being wide means it's very easy to have contact with another car, and instead of wheel-to-wheel you might have wing-to-wing! On the other hand, technically, as the wing is so wide and so heavy, we might need to reinforce it to cope with the forces from KERS and bumps. There are many technical aspects that we need to take into account.

Q. You are testing in Portimao next week. Will going to a new track with a new car make it more difficult for you to check things?

JT: I think the first test will be just a rollout to check the parameters and data, and feel a little bit the car. It is a new circuit for most people so it's probably good to go there for the first time for the first test. We are going to learn very little compared to other circuits because this year we need some fixed parameters. The new rules are introducing a completely new car, we need to know where we are but also especially where everybody else is.

Q. Do you think that there will be a negative effect caused by the loss of engine chief Luca Marmorini, or will that be countered by the engine freeze?

JT: The loss of Marmorini is obviously big as he is a great engineer. As you say, first of all the departure of him will not affect us so much immediately because of the engine freeze. He was not the only one working on the project, he had other people following his steps, but it will be a big loss.

Q. What was your first impression of the new cars on seeing the new aero package?

JT: In general, when you look at the new cars it is not so nice, but I must admit I like my car. I believe that Toyota have built up a nice car with some nice interesting technical parts, and I hope it is as quick as it looks. The look is not so important, much more important is the speed of the car - but it looks like a quick car.

Q. How important is it that the car is really good from the start?

JT: I think it is very important to get it right straight away. It is much more important than in any other season. The team have been doing a great job in the past few years to make the data comparable between the track, the wind tunnel and the departments in the factory, so it helps a lot that we develop now not on track but at the factory.

It is very important now to get it right from the beginning, from the first time the car hits the track. Our car has been more or less reliable in recent times. We have to see how the new rules impact on it.

Q. Could that be an advantage if a big rival like Ferrari make a bad car?

JT: When there is a rule change, as I said before, there is normally a mix up at the start of the season. So it is important to get it right at the beginning. If you are strong enough and experienced enough you can keep this gain. The bigger teams are now able to recover, but with testing cuts their chances will be reduced.

Q. Is there a big safety risk with KERS?

JT: KERS is a big question mark for everyone. It is a complex system for an F1 car, which is not complex like a Toyota hybrid car on the road. It is something that requires time, investment and new technology, and I don't know if it is what F1 needs at the moment.

Toyota have got it ready and are developing it. The problem is that before we get a brand new system in the car, it has to be safe and reliable - we don't want to waste our time until we know what is the advantage and disadvantage. You don't want to lose your car during the race because of a new system.

Q. Slicks are also returning this year - and many people suggest that your driving style will be well suited to them. Would you agree?

JT: I believe this a big benefit for me, a big advantage. Not an advantage, but swapping from grooved to slicks is a much more natural racing style. Personally, I am really happy to be back on slicks and I am just looking forward to starting rolling.