Trulli Targets First F1 Victory in 2004

Italian Jarno Trulli believes he will finally make his mark in Formula One in 2004 by securing his first pole position and victory.

Trulli was present in Palermo, Italy, for the launch of Renault's new R24 car and the 29-year-old said he is confident he can produce his best in 2004.

"I will be out there giving everything but I will always be smiling and be quiet because I know it will come," said Trulli, who has often suffered misfortune during his career. "I believe I have the talent and a good car and that I am ready to claim my first pole position and my first victory.

"Towards the end of last season everybody began to understand what our strategy should be. Everything has become easier for me since then even if I did not get the results that I wanted."

Trulli will remain in an unchanged driver line-up with Fernando Alonso in 2004 and Renault have set a target to earn third place in the Championship by outperforming Ferrari, Williams or McLaren.

But Trulli claims the pace of the new R24 will not be seen until the opening practice session of the first race of the season in Australia on March 7.

"We are an extremely good team and extremely fast and we have the potential for sure," he added. "As far as I can say we have been catching up always for the past two or three years. We know we have improved again but we do not know how much everyone else has improved. We must wait now and see where we are in Melbourne."