Mixed Feelings for Sad Trulli

Jarno Trulli dedicated the provisional front-row time he set in the Malaysian Grand Prix on Saturday to a friend who died in a tragic aircraft accident in his Italian homeland during the event

Will Gray Mar 19, 2005, 7:05 AM

Trulli, who set the second fastest time in first qualifying at Sepang on Saturday, admitted he had mixed emotions after his impressive run because of the accident that occurred on the other side of the world.

"I have mixed feelings. It is great to finish second but I am shocked by the news of my friend Stefano's death," said Trulli, who joined Toyota last season and is hoping to move them up the grid this season.

"He was a great friend of mine. He was a rescue pilot. There was a fire in Italy and he went down with his plane to get some water, took off and hit electrical cables."

Trulli will be hoping to match his efforts in Saturday's qualifying session when he takes to the track in Sunday's final qualifying as he bids to keep his front row position for the race itself.