Toyota 2005 driver line up?

[Kirk]

Who will it be? Trulli has been rumoured to have signed a 2 year contract but if so why the delay in announcing such? Did Weber really say that one more bad shunt and Ralf could become a parapalegic? Is Villeneuve in the running? Many questions and not many answers. Are they they just holding their cards close to the vest or should we expect more surprises from this rich, underacheiving team?

[RWC]

The way trulli allmost willingly left renault says a fair bit.Surely he would have excepted any wage there rather than risk missing out on a seat alltogether.
But as you say-if he has signed,as seams likely,why the delay in announcing it?
Perhaps he has delusions of granduer and left renault (and dropped flav as manager) so that williams,toyota and jag could have a bidding war over his services? LOL
I'm not sure which webber that 'para' quote is from (willi or mark) but there is no doubt that it is a risk if he tries to race again too soon.In the longer term it is extremely unlikely though.Even if only because of the way the drivers body is held in the seat which makes it incredibly difficult to have any 'shearing' impact on the spinal column.
JV a chance? My guess is probably not.I don't think they have anything at all against him-i just get the feeling that they are seriously considering putting a young driver in the 2nd seat.Just a feeling,nothing more

[Hugh Jarce]

I'm just trying to cast my mind back.

When Trulli quit all the Button stuff had not gone off - had it.

If that was the case, the 'lie of the land' is not very different. Perhaps he was close to a deal and it's now up in the air now that other seats and drivers are avaliable.

Also, Toyota are probably going to give Zonta a fair go, before decided. If he's quick, he's a cheaper option that JT.

[Kicking-back]

Trulli may find himself on the sidelines.

[jetsetter]

Toyota will probably wait to see how things pan out with Zonta & if he doesn't deliver then they will sign Trulli.

[Hugh Jarce]

Originally posted by Kicking-back
Trulli may find himself on the sidelines.

KB - I wondered that - mind you with the way contracts are honoured at the mo, you could imagine some team ditching and existing driver to take him on. He may not be the best, but he's still better than most.

[Don K]

Originally posted by RWC
I'm not sure which webber that 'para' quote is from (willi or mark) ...

Willi Weber, quoting doctors a couple of weeks ago.
Not Mark Webber.

[alesi95]

Trulli seems pretty confident. Looks like Trulli already has a contract in his briefcase.

[Kicking-back]

Quite possibly.

It's most likely at Toyota but not being announced just yet.

[Knowlesy]

Hasn't Trulli stated he has a contract with a team for next year? He just didn't mention who it was?

[BootsOntheSide]

He has indeed knowlesy, and I think it could eb BAR rather than Toyota - posisbly to replace Sato, but more likely to team up with him now that Jenson's probably on the move.

Wili Weber (one b, it's not that hard to get right) said taht Ralf could become a paraplegic form a bad crash if he returns too soon, i.e. before Monza. Take quotes in context in future.

And as for JV, I doubt Toyota would consider him.

[RWC]

Oops,forgot about zonta.Quite right,they'll wait a little bit before they decide for sure

Originally posted by alesi95
Trulli seems pretty confident. Looks like Trulli already has a contract in his briefcase.

I've noticed the same thing myself.He looks like a man who's sure of himself all right.
Not that means much i guess-for someone who makes such massive mistakes on track as he does, i wouldn't be at all surprised if he's stuffed up at something else as well....

Or to put it another way-if he is as agressive at managing his career as he is at driving ,then we can assume right now that we'll never see him again in f1

[Hugh Jarce]

Hope he can manage himself - looks to me like his has trouble managing his hair!

In my guts, I still reckon Toyota (the BAR stuff blew later than Trulli walked (if my memory serves me right)

With Toyota's budget I can't see them plopping for an untried driver - so despite what I said above, I reckon Zonta is fighting for the testing position.

But, then what do I know!

[Adam43]

Trulli has rules out BAR today (autosport.com):

Asked if he would join BAR, Trulli told Reuters: "I don't think so. I've been talking to a lot of teams. I can't say we have signed anything or have anything finalised but we are close. I think my future will be revealed in September."

He also has toned down the 'has a contract' bit, but still says we will know by September.

[Hugh Jarce]

Interesting isn't it.

He seemed so confident before. Either he was suffering from premature enthusiasm or a certain team has slowed things up. I reckon the later.

Mmmm - September.

Maybe nothing cryptic in that - that means in around four weeks time.

Perhaps I shall pop up to Wokingham tomorrow ask him - it's only round the corner.

[Kirk]

Trulli strikes me as a man who has a guaranteed ride next year. If not, he'd better snap out of it; he has been pretty ordinary of late and nonchalent to boot. Panis, on the other hand has been his usual hard working self and obviously has not given up hope for his continued employment in F1.