Trulli ready to take advantage of R23

"Development started early - we had the car ready in November and have done mileage already," explained the Italian who tested the new machine, with 2002 bodywork, at Valencia in Spain last November. "The car looks very similar at the moment, but we will have a complete new aerodynamics package for the start of the season in Australia.

"We have a new engine and a new gearbox and it looks as though the guys have done a very good job."

Trulli has moved back to England this season and has been working hard over the winter to improve what is already a very high level of fitness. "We have done a lot of preparation in Africa with Flavio Briatore and Fernando Alonso," said Trulli at the launch of the R23 in Switzerland. "I get on really well with my team-mate and I think we will be a very strong partnership.

"I got on well with Jenson Button too, it is just that he didn't speak Italian. If you both speak the same language it is much easier for everybody. People are different and maybe Alonso and I match-up slightly better, but any good team-mate is tough."