Another spectacular qualifying effort from
Jarno Trulli will see the experienced Italian line up on the second row of the grid for this weekend's German Grand Prix at Hockenheim – ahead of defending
Formula 1 World Champion
Kimi Raikkonen no less.
The result – just over half a second shy of pole position – marks Trulli's eighth top ten grid slot from ten attempts this year, as he continues to prove to be one of the indisputable stars of the 2008 campaign. What's more, the recently-turned 34-year-old's last-gasp effort was no fluke, after he had placed inside the top seven throughout practice and qualifying all day long.
Fourth position also equals his best showing of the season so far – at Magny-Cours in France last month – when, lest we forget, he converted it into a podium finish on race day…
“It was a very good performance so I am really happy,” Trulli underlined, after saving his best ‘til last. “The car handled very well and we made many small changes through the session to get closer and closer to the perfect balance. At the very end of Q3 I put in a very strong lap to give me fourth position, which was very satisfying.
“I am particularly happy for the team, because they are working hard at the track and at the factory, so it is a pleasure for me to show such a good performance. We have a good chance tomorrow, even if it will be difficult to battle with
Ferrari and
McLaren.
“We will do our best and we know we are competitive, so I am confident we can have a good result again. Clearly the goal is to score plenty of points and fight for the best possible finish.”
The Japanese outfit, whose European base at Cologne is less than two hours' away from Hockenheim, is currently embroiled in a fierce scrap for fourth spot in the constructors' title chase with rivals
Red Bull Racing,
Renault and
Williams – all of whom Trulli out-performed around the Baden-Württemberg circuit when it mattered most.
