Trulli to Lotus for three years

If Jarno Trulli is made official on Monday as driver of the new Lotus team F1 Racing, it won't be a surprise to anyone. For several weeks, the Italian driver has been at the top of the short list of Tony Fernandes, boss of the Malaysian team. The good relationship maintained by Jarno Trulli and Mike Gascoyne, technical director of the team, then continued to place them at the top of the favorites to inherit a seat within the team. It is more the name of the second driver that raises the question.

However, a person from Jarno Trulli's entourage revealed this Saturday to the Associated Press that the native of Abruzzo had signed up for three years with Lotus. A clause would allow the driver, aged 35, to retire at the end of each season.

Jarno Trulli takes advantage of his good relationship with Mike Gascoyne to join Lotus. The driver and the technical director have rubbed shoulders in three teams previously, at Jordan, Renault et Toyota.

The Italian driver was still driving for Toyota this season but, before the Japanese manufacturer announced its withdrawal from F1, the Cologne-based team decided to do without his services and recruit a top driver. Kimi Räikkönen had notably been approached.

Tony Fernandes, who said the drivers would be officially announced on Monday, announced a shortlist of four names to drive with Lotus F1. In addition to Jarno Trulli, the name of Fairuz Fauzy, Formula Renault 3.5 Series driver this season, had been put forward. L? businessman had categorically excluded the reinforcement of Jacques Villeneuve.