Trulli Says Renault is First Choice for 2005

Italian driver Jarno Trulli says he would prefer to stay at the Renault team next year, but not at any cost.

"There's a nice atmosphere here at Renault: the team is more and more competitive, so this could be my first choice but I would have to accept other things that I'm not happy about," Trulli was quoted as saying by Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport. "We'll see. Anyway it's the team that must make announcements at the right time.

"It is taking longer than I expected to solve it, to be honest. Anyway a decision will be taken fairly soon and it will come from me: things are going in the right direction. Be patient a little longer and all will be revealed, one way or another."

Trulli's contract with the French squad runs out at the of the season, and although he was expected to stay for another year, talks between the driver and the team have slowed down and Sauber driver Giancarlo Fisichella has been linked with a return to Renault next year.

The Renault driver, apart from Ferrari's Michael Schumacher the only other Grand Prix winner this year, hinted at problems with the French team's boss Flavio Briatore.

"With Flavio there's no need to talk anymore. Perhaps we have nothing left to say to each other," Trulli added.

The Toyota team, who have signed Ralf Schumacher for next season, have been linked with Trulli in recent weeks, but the Italian played down the rumours.

"Here at Renault, not by myself of course, I've created a winning car, and it would be a shame if other people were to take advantage of all my efforts. In any case, even starting from the beginning again could be an interesting challenge, perhaps I wouldn't mind."