His performances in Malaysia, Bahrain, Valencia and Fuji were magnificent, and his podium at Magny-Cours – poignantly coming just days after former team principal Ove Andersson had tragically passed away, and banishing memories of the 2004 French Grand Prix, when he had let third place slip away to Rubens Barrichello in the very final corner – was just the tonic and lift for a team still in mourning. Drawing upon all of his guile and experience to hold off Kovalainen right the way to the flag, Trulli was peerless and produced a drive to match the very best of his nigh-on 200-race F1 career.

A man with a taste for fine wines and his own vineyard in his homeland to boot, this was a vintage season for Jarno Trulli, and like his produce, he is seeming to get even better with age. He may be one of F1's elder statesmen, but on current form the former Monaco Grand Prix winner will not be hanging up his helmet for some time yet.


The top five drivers will be revealed tomorrow (Christmas Eve).