Toyota's Trulli scores points at last
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-26 09:23
MONTREAL, June 25 - Jarno Trulli's Formula One nightmare ended on Sunday
when the Toyota driver scored his first points of the season at the Canadian
Grand Prix.
The Italian's sixth place in Montreal was his first finish in the points
since he came fifth in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza last September, 13 races
ago.
"I'm just delighted, I have finally scored my first points of the season at
last," said a relieved Trulli, who is hoping to renew his contract with the
Japanese car manufacturer for 2007 and beyond.
"It was a great race in difficult conditions and a great effort from the
whole team. We have been pushing hard to improve the car and we've definitely
made a big step forward.
"I pushed really hard until the end because I did not want to lose those
points. We made it to the finish and I can finally celebrate getting off the
mark in 2006."
Trulli, 31, had qualified on the second row alongside Ferrari's seven-time
world champion Michael Schumacher and held up the frustrated German for much of
the race.
The Italian has yet to sign a new deal with the team he joined in 2004 but
the paddock rumour mill in Canada suggested he would be staying on to partner
Germany's Ralf Schumacher in an unchanged lineup.
Team principal Tsutomu Tomita praised Trulli's effort in providing the team
with a badly needed boost.
"We're delighted that Jarno has finally scored his first points of the year
after narrowly missing out so often," said the Japanese.
"Sixth place was our true place today because there were no retirements from
the top cars, so we again confirmed that we have the fourth best car on the
grid."
Two Renaults, two Ferraris and a McLaren finished ahead of Trulli.
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