Even with official confirmation not forthcoming, Jarno Trulli insists that he has ‘reached an agreement’ to stay at Toyota beyond the 2006 season. The Italian driver left Magny Cours at a new peak of frustration with his trying campaign so far, sparking speculation that all may not be well despite rumours of a new multi-year contract.

But Trulli, 32, said last week: “We have been in consultation with the team for some time and have reached an agreement that is now down to the detail stages.” On the bright side of his technical troubles, meanwhile, Toyota appear to have turned the corner in terms of car pace and at Magny Cours both Trulli and team-mate Ralf Schumacher briefly led the race.

Jarno Trulli said: “We still need to improve the reliability but, actually, never the same thing (has broken) twice, so you cannot really blame the team.”

Toyota team President John Howett, meanwhile, remarked that he ‘expects’ to keep the same driver line-up next year. He said: “If we did not think it was a sound move we would not make it.”

[GMM]

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