Trulli sets his sights on Hakkinen

The Italian admits that Ferrari is in a class of their own, but reckons his Honda-powered Jordan team is within an ace of former champions, McLaren.

Trulli got an extra boost when he was third fastest on a half-wet track in warm-up for the Grand Prix, which was headed by Rubens Barrichello, while the Finn could not even make the top 10.

"We have a good car, a competitive car," said Trulli, who qualified fifth, a place behind the double world champion. "We are not yet at the Ferrari level - we are a bit far from them - but we are very, very close to McLaren.

"Ferrari is far away, we expected that, but McLaren doesn't look so strong," he added. "Heinz-Harald did well in Melbourne and I would like to confirm the form he showed there.

"It might be possible to fight with Mika for third. It's not going to be easy because they have a good car, but yes, it is possible that we can fight Mika for third fourth or fifth. It is a challenge for me. Don't forget that McLaren got it wrong in Melbourne in qualifying but then in the race they were quick."