Howett drops hint about Trulli's future
Trulli has been with Toyota for five years but has failed to deliver their first win
Also In The News
|
By inthenews. |  |
Friday, 09, Oct 2009 02:24
By Adam Leveridge.
Toyota team principal John Howett has hinted that Jarno Trulli's days at the team are numbered.
Since joining the Cologne-based team five years ago, Trulli has yet to deliver Toyota's first win and Howett is keen to convince bosses in Japan that the team is heading in the right direction.
"You have to look over five years," said Howett.
"I don't wish to be tough but we had a more competitive position leading the start of Spa, and we didn't deliver.
"So I think you have to respect the fact - and I am not trying to knock Jarno, because he is a great person and what he does for the earthquake victims... there are so many strong qualities.
"But still unfortunately as a team this sport is intensely competitive and we have to find the best opportunity to win."
However, the Italian did finish on the podium at Toyota's home race in Japan last weekend, following Timo Glock's second-place in Singapore one week earlier and Howett believes that these results should be enough to secure the team's future in the sport.
"It always helps, doesn't it? But I can't say that it is really the fundamental issue," said Howett.
"I think it is still all down to Toyota's overall profit and loss situation and the image of formula one and whether we can get away from the rather sordid side that we've had recently to a much more dynamic future looking at all the great things that this sport really has.
"Talking to my colleagues, it's a similar problem everywhere. That's the biggest challenge we face."