Trulli: the Toyota Handles like a Jordan

Italian Jarno Trulli says Toyota's new Formula One car reminds him of the poorly-handling Jordan he drove in 2001.

"The car seems quick and competitive, but not over the distance," he told Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport after testing in Valencia, Spain. "The problem is excessive rear tyre wear, we have three weeks left and we hope to resolve it.

"It's definitely not due to the weight distribution," added Trulli, who won last year's Monaco Grand Prix for Renault before his move towards the end of the season.

"But we still haven't worked out whether it is an aerodynamic problem or mechanical. After three laps the car becomes more difficult to drive, and in that it reminds me of my old Jordan," he said.

"It's a shame, because the car is easy to handle and the problems of engine reliability have been resolved."

Toyota, with one of the biggest budgets in the sport, finished last season in eighth place and are under intense pressure to take a big step up this year with company bosses demanding at least a podium.

The team have said they will have a completely new aerodynamic package for the opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 6, however.