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Jarno Trulli Q&A

Jarno Trulli's season got off to a solid start as the Renault driver took fifth place at Albert Park. It looked even better in the early stages as he and team-mate Fernando Alonso both ran in the top three, until pit stops intervened. Of the pair, the Italian had the better luck with safety cars, and was back up to fifth by lap 36, but couldn't do much about the major players up ahead. Adam Cooper caught up with Jarno after the race



It was a strange race, but I'm happy. I must say I struggled big time with the first and second set of tyres. Yesterday I was a bit disappointed with the set which I used in qualifying, and again in the race, I lost so much time. Even with the second set it was the same. Finally with the third set I was flying. It was two seconds difference between different sets of tyres. I'm answering all those people who have some doubts about my performance in races. I'm particularly happy because the team is doing a great job.



The first pit stop for me was together with the safety car. I had more fuel than Fernando on board, so it was a little bit easier for me to handle the race. I paid a little bit in qualifying, but it helped me in the race.



I think the weather helped also. But in general we cannot say that we saw a bad Grand Prix this time. It was a very exciting Grand Prix. I cannot say that it's all down to the new format, I can only say that Friday and Saturday are a little bit boring for us, but it's OK.



It's not that I don't like the one lap, I don't like the fact that you keep doing strategy, strategy, and you don't really show your potential. Qualifying is like the first lap of the race, and everyone has a different fuel load and different strategy for the race, and different set-up. You cannot change for the next day. I don't think we gain in terms of qualifying challenge.



The package, I think, is particularly good. We are all afraid about reliability, and we should have it fixed, but in F1 you are never know, it's such a complicated job.



The car is definitely much, much better. I really think that we've got the best chassis out there, or one of the best chassis out there. We still have to improve the engine side a little bit, but a big thanks to Renault, because we both finished the race. But I also have to say everyone else did a good step ahead too, so it will be a tough job, as every year.



We don't know exactly where we are. We know there are stronger engines that ours, we know that BMW and Ferrari are getting stronger and stronger. Renault has improved since last year, but maybe not enough yet. People are still very confident inside the team, and they know we've got the potential, and everything is there. But we need to fix some reliability problems before we can release some power.



Yes, I think Mike Gascoyne and Pat Symonds are really good for the team. They make the most of the job and they make sure everybody is working in the same direction, working well. I think it's one of the best teams out there.



You're right. When you're changing drivers and engineers and people inside the team it's always difficult to get it where you were maybe the season before. Continuity always pays off. If you look at Ferrari, it was very tough for five years, even though Michael Schumacher was there. They couldn't achieve what they wanted, and then everything came out in one year, and now they are really unbeatable. This is the way the F1 should go.



I think it's far too early to say that. But for sure he's very quick. I get on well with him, but I was getting on well with Jenson last year. He's quick, young, he's got potential. I'm sure it will be nice to race against him and work with him.



I think so, because you can have luck sometimes, and you can have bad luck. Every year I am also determined, because I think I've got the potential. I've proved it several times, but too many times I've been let down by problems. At the moment I'm very confident. I've got a strong team behind me in Renault, and I'm sure one day I will succeed. It's just a question of time.

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