Girlracer interviews Jarno Trulli

One of the best things about Lotus is the team's attitude, which can only be described as upbeat professionalism.

They are a new team that isn't, an outfit that lacks the results of the likes of McLaren and Ferrari, but who operate as if they've been doing it for years.

Being a new team is tough, but it always was. Being a new team in a testing-free world is even harder, especially when you remember that Lotus had approximately twenty minutes to design, build, and homologate their car. As a result, 2010 is a year for finding their feet. Lotus' real promise will become evident in 2011, when the team Mike Gascoyne is putting together have the opportunity to show off their engineering talents with a Lotus-built machine.

The new team selection process was such that new entrants were working against the clock to get their cars ready for Bahrain. On a back foot because they were new, the restricted timescales available for development put all of the new teams at a further disadvantage as they had to buy in components. But despite these disadvantages, Lotus have emerged as the strongest of the new boys, the only outfit likely to challenge the mid-field before the end of the season.

Jarno Trulli has had a particularly tough year, through no fault of his own. The amiable Italian driver has spent an inordinate amount of time on the sidelines, thanks to regular problems with the car's bought-in hydraulics set-up. Trulli's Lotus has seen three retirements this year, and two of those – China and Turkey – were down to the hydraulics. Another hydraulics problem prevented the Italian driver from starting in Melbourne.

Silverstone has brought more of the same – Trulli's seat was occupied by Fairuz Fauzy on Friday morning, problems with the car led to a difficult and slow Friday afternoon, and much of Saturday was lost to yet more problems with the hydraulics. Under the circumstances, I was expecting to find a storming and furious Jarno in the Lotus motorhome.

Just goes to show how much I still have to learn. I arrived early, and expected to wait until the appointed time. But despite a gripping stage in the Tour de France, which Trulli was watching on TV when I arrived, he was happy to start ahead of schedule.

Girlracer: I last saw you at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend. What were your personal highlights from the festival – any cars you particularly enjoyed seeing or driving?

Jarno Trulli: No, not really – I was happy just to be there.

GR: It was a great day, wasn't it? I know that a lot of the problems you've had this season have come from supplier hydraulics. I can't imagine how frustrating that must be for you, how it affects your morale. Are you looking to change the hydraulics supply next year?

JT: I think so. It's more of a technical question, though; probably better you ask an engineer than me. All I can say is that I'm looking forward to the 2011 season.

GR: Yes, I can understand that. Despite the frustrations, how have you enjoyed working with Lotus this year to build another legacy for the team?

JT: Working here is nice – the people are really nice, there's a good atmosphere. In general I quite like it. It's just that having these problems make my life a bit difficult in terms of working. Basically, this weekend I haven't worked – I haven't done anything.

GR: So what do you do when there's no work to be done at the track?

JT: Nothing; I just cycle. I go cycling around the track. So far I've done more mileage [of Silverstone] on my bike than in my race car.

GR: Not the stat you want really, is it? Next year, in addition to possible new suppliers you've also got aerodynamic specialists, key technicians, people moving across into the team. Are you more optimistic about 2011?

JT: Yes, definitely. Next year will be much better. I'm very confident about next year, as much as I was not very confident about this year, about having a competitive car. Although we're still best of the rest!

GR: But it's more about building a team this year, isn't it? You had such a short deadline when it came to designing the car.

JT: Yes, definitely.

GR: You're one of the few fathers on the grid this year. Has fatherhood affected your driving style at all?

JT: No, not at all.

GR: Off grid, you have all sorts of activities. Last year, you raised an awful lot of money for the victims of the L'Aquila earthquake. How has the fundraising gone?

JT: We raised around €700,000 and used most of the money to rebuild a very famous fountain in L'Aquila which is a bit of a symbol for the people from the town. It's called the La Fontana delle 99 Cannelle, and it's a big fountain which is the symbol of L'Aquila. Most of the money has gone into rebuilding it.

I wanted to do something else, something more, but there are so many projects going on over there, and I don't want to get involved in the politics.

GR: It must be good to know that with your children, your wine, and now the fountain, you're going to have a legacy outside of Formula 1.

JT: Oh, yes. But I am still motivated to get the most out of the job. So yes, I've got another life outside [the sport], but I'm still living here. [With a sweep of his arms, Trulli indicates the paddock, heart of the F1 circus.]

GR: I know this is going to sound like a weird question, given the reliability issues you've faced this year, but have you had a best race weekend in 2010?

JT: No. Really no. [Laughs]

GR: And to finish with a lighter question, nothing to do with cars. I assume that as an Italian, your mother is a wonderful cook. What's the home-cooked meal you miss the most?

JT: Hmmm... I miss rigatoni with scampi.

GR: Sounds good! Well, I shall leave you to relax and get over qualifying, but best of luck for the race tomorrow.

JT: Thank you! After a tough weekend, I hope to at least see the chequered flag tomorrow.

Kate Walker Girlracer Magazine

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