Trulli: Bridgestone Switch No Problem
Jarno Trulli is adamant that Toyota are not heading for a step-back in performance next year as a consequience of their switch to Bridgestone tyres
The Japanese car manufacturer have been one of the surprises of the year with their run to fourth place in the Constructors' Championship, but could face a challenge in emulating their performances next season following Bridgestone's struggles this season.
But Trulli is confident that the team's change of tyre supplier will not see them suffer - because he believes Ferrari's difficulties this year were not purely the result of tyre deficiencies.
"We are going to have a lot of tests and there is a lot of development planned to improve the Bridgestone performance," he said.
"But I think, as I said, it is a package that wins or loses and I think the (Ferrari) package this year didn't work as expected, but in the last five years they (Ferrari) have dominated so anything can happen. They proved they can do it."
Trulli is hoping that he can end his strong season on a high in China this weekend thanks to modifications made to his TF105B.
The Italian struggled with the handling of the new car in Japan last weekend and is hoping that power-steering changes to improve his confidence can help him overcome the difficulties he had.
"I must say that I am a bit more comfortable here because as you saw in Japan we brought a new car and we found out it was quicker than the old car but for me I couldn't have a good handling, all weekend and also during testing," he said.
"I reported the problems and straight away the team is reacting, so we should have some new bits here and for this I have to thank the team because they are working really hard in Cologne, so we will attack the problem already here.
"It is a problem for a young car, we have new suspension, new aerodynamics and actually it worked pretty well during the testing but it doesn't fit my driving style.
"I am very sensitive to the changes and I can feel a few problems, especially the front suspension with the power steering, which is not reacting clearly for me and as I have a very smooth and sensitive driving style I suffer a lot from this little problem.
"And that is why I have asked them to react quickly on the power steering side and hopefully I can run it this weekend."
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