Trulli pleased to beat Rubens

After starting ninth, Trulli rose to seventh on the first lap, and would run as high as fourth in the middle stages, getting to within 4secs of Juan Pablo Montoya's third placed Williams. The Italian then suffered some late handling issues, and did well to keep Barrichello at bay.

"I am more than pleased with this result: I started ninth, and managed to make up four places at a circuit where it is very hard to overtake, as well as keeping one of the Ferraris behind me," said Trulli. "At the start, the engine just didn't accelerate and I could feel from then on that it was a bit down on power. I pushed to the limit during my stints, but had no luck with traffic: the Minardi's alone cost me five-seconds!

"During the last part of the race, the car became very hard to drive - I had brake problems and the rear wheels were locking, which made it quite nervous. I think the result is in line with what we had expected, and once again, we take home a good number of points for the championship."