Trulli confident Toyota can stay strong

"I believe we have a good chance to be competitive all season but of course we have to keep on working hard, then time will tell," said Trulli.

"The car is really competitive right now and we are focused on what we are doing so I'm sure we can continue to fight at the front.

"Naturally, those teams who have historically been successful, but have struggled so far this season, are always capable of improving so we have to continue our development and never give up pushing. I have faith in my team."

The Japanese squad has enjoyed its best start to a season to date, having scored podium finishes in three of the first four races.

Trulli started last Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix from pole position but finished down in third position, a result that left him disappointed.

The Italian, however, admitted that it was encouraging that the team was unhappy with a podium finish.

"Absolutely. To be disappointed with third place makes such a difference compared to the previous few seasons.

"Last year my third place at Magny-Cours was a really special moment and the season before it was pretty much impossible to get near the podium so you can see that we have made a really big step this year.

"We have three podiums already from four races and that is the same number we had from the previous three seasons combined."