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Trulli hopeful of keeping momentum

Jarno Trulli believes his strong drive from the pitlane to fourth place in the United States Grand Prix is just the start of what will be a very good finish to the season

The Italian had failed to score any points until the Canadian Grand Prix as he was blighted by most of Toyota's bad luck. But having performed so well at Indianapolis just a week later he is now full of confidence for the remainder of the year.

"It is not that I did not like the car, but the behaviour of the car is not what I was used to," he told autosport.com about his early season struggles. "Let's say I was more suited to last year's car.

"But bit by bit it is getting to my liking and it will improve further. I am very happy about that.

"I was so happy after Indianapolis because for once the result and the potential were together. I had known there was potential in the car before, but I just could not get the result - and I don't know why so many things happened.

"Then in Canada I got my first point, and then in Indianapolis it got better. We just have to work more on it now."

Trulli spent last week's Jerez test focusing on work with Bridgestone, both in development of new compounds and in further understanding how best to integrate the rubber with the TF106B.

The upturn in Trulli's form has come on the back of him agreeing a deal to remain at Toyota for the next three years - which gives him a stable platform to move on with.

Although the contract has not been signed yet, Trulli claims his decision to continue was based on giving him the best chance to claim more F1 victories.

"Of course I want to stay," he said. "I know what they have done and what they will do, and having spent the last two years I would like to carry on. And Toyota has to want me too.

"I think we have all agreed in the things we have discussed and I am just waiting for the contract and to put my signature on it. Money has never been the issue. The issue is to win, that is all."

Trulli believes the key to making big progress at Toyota is in the race team becoming as successful on track as their road car company counterparts are in the business world.

"Toyota is in the process of learning to adapt to the F1 mentality," he said. "You know, there is a certain mentality in F1 and certain ways to operate.

"It is like going to a new school. Toyota are learning their ways. In the real world Toyota have the most productive, leanest system, so the question is can they apply the same thinking to F1?  I think that is what they are doing now."

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