After the Korean Grand Prix Jarno Trulli flew off to the United States of America, meeting up with his old pal Juan Pablo Montoya In Miami. The future of the Italian driver in F1 remains unclear with rumours increasing that Lotus Racing could go for a younger driver in 2011. In December last year Trulli signed a three-year deal with the team, but there are believed to be options for each season. This year neither Lotus driver has scored points but Heikki Kovalainen has collected a 12th, two 13ths, two 14ths and a 15th. He has finished 11 races. Trulli has finished nine races, his best being a 13th, two 15ths and a 16th.
In December Trulli spent some time in the United States, testing a NASCAR Toyota car at the New Smyrna Speedway, completing 400 laps of the short oval and impressing those in attendance, notably former McLaren engineer Steve Hallam, who is executive vice president for competition at Michael Waltrip Racing. Team owner Michael Waltrip called the test “an outstanding job”. The test came about at the request of Toyota and the visit included attending a NASCAR race in Phoenix.
The visit, en route to Brazil, will no doubt increase speculation that Jarno is looking for a future in US stock car racing. Now 36, the Italian has been competing in F1 since 1997. He has raced 232 times but has only one victory to his name: the Monaco GP in 2004. During his career he has driven for Minardi (1997), Prost Gauloises Blondes (1997-1999), Benson & Hedges Jordan (2000-2001), Mild Seven Renault (2002-2004), Panasonic Toyota Racing (2005-2009) and Lotus Racing. His best result in the World Championship was sixth in 2004.
Jarno lives in Switzerland these days, but still spends much time at home in Abruzzo where he is the ambassador for the Podere Castorani vineyard, which is owned by his father Enzo, Lucio Cavuto (Jarno’s manager), Lucio’s father Bruno and winemaker Angelo Molisani. He is married to Barbara and they have two young sons Enzo and Marco. Jarno is a big fan of Miami.
joeblogsf1 
Jarno – good guy, good wine
come on over and race the good old boys
I say “Benvenuti Jarno” but it would sure be funny if he could line up Perrier as a sponsor just to pique the interest of the locals.
I would have thought that if Jarno was intent on racing the Indycar championship would have been a better fit for his skill set. Ex F1 drivers haven’t exactly got a great record in Nascar and I wouldn’t want the likeable Italian to damage his reputation. It seems the spectacular big bruiser Stock cars don’t respond well to the delicate inputs a single seater driver is used to making.
Tim W,
it’s not “Stock cars don’t respond well to the delicate inputs a single seater driver is used to making.” , it’s that there are plenty of tracks where 3400 lb Cup cars enter turn 1 at 205+ mph with the rear end at 4 to 8 degrees of yaw and it scares the bejesus out of guys used to having a wing producing enough downforce to induce confidence.
Joe,if you attend PRI this year you might consider interviewing Steve Hallam about his time in NASCAR vs his experiences at McLaren. Might surprise some people.
Dear Joe,
I’ve heard rumours about Bruno Senna going to Lotus, possibly with investment from Petrobras. Petrobras colours are the same from Lotus (green and yellow). Do you know something about it?
Regards,
No, but anything is possible. Petrobras certainly has some money for a Brazilian, but only on very specific terms. Not sure if that would fit in with Renault-Total
cvrt
Im not trying to be dismissive of Stock cars or their drivers, but I see plenty of 7th gear opposite lockery going on in Formula 1 (see Kubica in Korea and Rosberg at Suzuka) admittedly as a result of errors rather than it being the normal way round a corner. I really don’t think a lack of courage is the problem, rather a very differnt technique required to get a good lap time. We have seen a similar problem in the DTM where ex F1 guys have also struggled. I think the two disciplines are just too different.
Joe described Jarno’s resume as: “During his career he has driven for Minardi (1997), Prost Gauloises Blondes (1997-1999), Benson & Hedges Jordan (2000-2001), Mild Seven Renault (2002-2004), Panasonic Toyota Racing (2005-2009) and Lotus Racing.” Amazing looking back at an era when tobacco sponsorship fueled the sport. Good riddance. I’m glad they made Ferrari take that Marlboro bar code off the engine cover.
Can somebody tell my why they call him Truly Scrumptious? Wait til they get a load of that nickname at Talladega.
Geoff,
Truly Scrumptious is a fictional character from the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. If you can face it…
Surely if Jarno went it would be a case of being pushed, Lotus is a team on the up for 2011. Having endured a torrid 2010 surely he’d want to stick around for one last crack at some decent results.
Besides, beyond his name has Bruno really done enough to justify a second season in F1?
better to go do nascar for a while than to toil around at the back of the grid in f1 with 1 Malaysia f1 team