Toyota confident Trulli will bounce back

"I think he's had a lot of really bad luck," Toyota motorsport president John Howett told Reuters after Trulli finished ninth in Sunday's European Grand Prix, a home race for the Cologne-based Formula One team.

"He's having a rough year but still, I think he's got the potential. He did a good lap with heavy fuel yesterday so I'm sure he'll come back.

"Today we couldn't really get the car balanced for him during the race so we have to really look (at the problem). He's motivated and we are, so no problems."

Trulli, out of contract at the end of the year, finished second twice in the first three races of last season as Toyota headed for fourth place overall and their best championship position to date.

"I was pushing the whole race but was struggling with the balance and getting enough grip in the tyres," said the Italian.

"I think once the issue has been evaluated, we can say more about what happened."