Lotus best option for F1s future - Trulli

Date published : 12 Feb 2010 - 19:44:47

Jarno Trulli says he signed for Lotus because he believes teams of its size are the future of Formula 1 - and because the presence of Mike Gascoyne convinced him it was the best of the newcomers. Gascoyne and Trulli have previously worked together at Jordan, Renault and Toyota, and after eight seasons in big manufacturers squads with the latter two companies, Trulli feels the time is right to rejoin his old friend at a small independent squad. "To be honest, I [signed for Lotus] because of this man next to me [Gascoyne]," he said. "And I'm not saying that because he's here, but because you could understand already from mid-season last year that Formula 1 was changing radically. "In one year we lost four manufacturers, and it was time to do things a different way an independent team was the only way to go. "Looking around, there was this big opportunity. It came up very late, but because of Mike, I was finally convinced." Trulli said he had already been stunned by what Lotus had achieved in the short time since its 2010 entry was secured. "Mike is the kind of person who is capable of this kind of miracle [building an F1 car in five months]," he said. "What happened today is really an achievement. When I walked into the factory the first time, I said Wow, there is nothing here, how can we make a Formula 1 car ready in three or four months ' "I had to take a gamble in the end. But on the other hand I knew that these guys were representing a brand which is probably second only to Ferrari in motorsport. "So everyone feels a big responsibility, and that's why this has happened because there are people who are really serious about this." The Italian emphasised that everyone at Lotus understand success would not come in the short term. "I like Mike because he is very straightforward and very realistic. We cannot expect to join Formula 1 this year and be straight away the best," said Trulli. "But we know what our goals are. First of all, get the car ready, which is a big achievement in itself. "You wouldn't believe the atmosphere we had the other day at Silverstone when, after 16 years, a green and yellow car with the Lotus name hit the track. That was something very special. "I've found that it is a little, but very professional, team. Most of the people who have joined the team I have worked with before at previous teams. "There is a potential but obviously we are running out of time. But we know that we have to go to Bahrain, get the car ready, try to finish the first race, learn, and let the whole team roll into the racing atmosphere. "Then we want to show the progress of the team over the season. The real aim is to establish ourselves as the best of the new teams, first of all. Then the next challenge will be to get ready for next year and set higher goals."  He insisted that after being a regular podium contender in recent years he could still stay motivated even if he was fighting at the back initially. "In Formula 1, every year you have to reset your targets depending on the car you are driving, and obviously you have to try your best with what you have," Trulli said. "But it's a new challenge to take this name back into Formula 1. And everything we will do will be down to us; the first point we will score might only be one point, but it will be enough to make everybody proud and extremely motivated to challenge for the next point."