Trulli confirmed for Japan

The Italian completed a successful test with the Cologne-based team at Jerez in Spain last week and despite two big incidents, caused by a puncture and a rear-suspension related problem, Trulli hailed his first major outing for his new team as encouraging and declared himself ready to return to racing if the team wanted him to do so.

The team was eager to get Trulli in the car as early as possible, even though the Italian is understood to still be having minor difficulties getting comfortable in the cockpit.

"I am thankful to Olivier and Ricardo for making this possible," Trulli said. "The Japanese Grand Prix weekend will help me put together a general impression of how things work at Toyota."

Panis, who is retiring at the end of he season to begin a testing contract with the team, is the logical choice for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, but the outfit would obviously prefer Zonta in for Brazil so as to maximise publicity in his home race at Interlagos.

"In consideration of the positive work achieved with Toyota over the last two years, I am willing to give my team-mate Ricardo this opportunity," Panis said.

"This means that the Japanese Grand Prix will be my last Formula 1 race, but I look forward to the work which lies ahead of us in the next two years."