Trulli tribute
ByReuters
Published 19/03/2005 at 14:10 GMT
Toyota's Jarno Trulli dedicated his fine showing in qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix to a friend who was accidentally killed in Italy. Trulli posted an impressive time of one minute 32.672 in the fierce Malaysia heat to split the Renaults of Fernan
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
"I'm shocked because I've just heard the news that a friend of mine has just died," Trulli said after he was second quickest in the first qualifying session for Sunday's race in Sepang.
"I want to dedicate this front row to Stefano."
Trulli, then with Renault, dedicated his maiden Formula One victory in Monaco last year to former race engineer Dino Toso who was battling a serious illness.
"Stefano was a rescue pilot," Trulli said. "Yesterday there was a fire I think in Italy and he was really unlucky. After landing on the water and taking off I think he has hit by electrical cables."
Trulli posted an impressive time of one minute 32.672 in the fierce Malaysia heat to split the Renaults of Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella.
Spaniard Alonso clocked 1:32.582 to take provisional pole for the second race of the season.
"The starting grid will be decided on aggregate times after the second qualifying session on Sunday morning"
Trulli finished fifth in Malaysia for Renault last year but the Italian insisted he and new team mate Ralf Schumacher have a genuine chance of scoring solid points for Toyota in 2005.
"Things will keep improving for the future because everybody is pushing hard," said Trulli. "The car has been competitive and easy to drive."
"With the heat you can expect anything but the car has been quite consistent. We are moving ahead."
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