Trulli to test Toyota

The Italian has already visited the Japanese manufacturer's Cologne headquarters and his deal to join the team for next year will be announced on Thursday morning. That means he will team up with Ralf Schumacher for the 2005 campaign.

Toyota has taken the opportunity of Trulli's early split with Renault to capitalise on his experience of race-winning machinery this year and wants to get his verdict on its TF104B car - which has failed to deliver a massive step forward since it was introduced at the German Grand Prix. He will join the team for the final day of its three-day run at Silverstone.

Technical director Mike Gascoyne said: "We never thought Jarno would be available before the end of the season, so we want to use the opportunity to get his feedback on the TF104B as soon as possible."

And although the team has so far ruled out the possibility of drafting Trulli into the race team before the end of the season, sources have indicated that such a scenario is not impossible. It is likely, however, that the final decision will be left to Trulli.

A team spokesman told Autosport.com on Wednesday: "We do not plan to change our driver line-up for the three remaining races of the season."