Relationship with Renault Deteriorated, Says Trulli

Italian Jarno Trulli says his relationship with the Renault team has changed for the worse since he announced he was leaving at the end of the season.

Trulli took the initiative during the German Grand Prix weekend and announced he would leave the French squad at the end of 2004, despite having scored his maiden Formula One win this year.

Since the Hockenheim race, Trulli has failed to finish in the points.

"The victory at Monaco and the good results can't be erased, but since I stopped being 100% a Renault driver, things have taken a different turn," Trulli told Gazzetta dello Sport. "If we want to finish second in the Constructors' Championship we must finish the races with both cars. Instead of that, since Canada I've been very unlucky.

"At Montreal I practically didn't start due to a broken axis, at Silverstone the suspension failed, at Hockenheim I was the roadsweeper collecting the rear wing lost by Raikkonen, and at Budapest the engine expired. If we add to that the fact that BAR often bring both cars to the finish, then the eight points advantage is nothing.

"I can see that things aren't what they used to be anymore. I'm not complaining but we need to finish the races."

The Italian, who is expected to join the Toyota team to partner Ralf Schumacher in 2005, said he was optimistic about his future.

"The agreements are in place and I'm confident because I'm dealing with serious people. I know I'll end up in a team that needs me," he said.