The first time I interviewed Jarno Trulli was in 2009 when he was still with the now-defunct Toyota team. I was given five minutes with him and his answers were so curt that I couldn't make a story out of it. Last year he was signed on by Team Lotus and I was given 10 minutes with him this time. I had a long list of questions to ask but his answers were so brief he finished my list in five minutes and I had to come up with more questions on the spot so as not to waste my time with him!
Q: How different has it been being with an all-new team?
A: It’s very different compared to Toyota. Lotus is a small team with reduced resources, and it’s been a big challenge. But I’m enjoying it still.
Q: Most challenging track you have ever raced on?
A: Spa-francochamps.
Q: Have you ever thought about what you would be if you weren’t an F1 driver?
A: No, I’ve been doing this for almost all my life.
Q: Who is the greatest driver of all time?
A: Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.
Q: Your most memorable race?
A: Monaco 2004. (He achieved his first pole position and first race win in F1.)
Q: What do you think of female drivers in general?
A: They’re welcome.
Q: Biggest annoyance in life?
A: People being late and not on time.
Q: Advice for aspiring racing drivers who want to reach F1?
A: Be strong, determined and try hard.
Q: Anything they should know about F1 before coming into it?
A: Not as good as they expect.
Q: iPhone or Blackberry?
A: iPhone (he has two).
Q: Tattoo or piercing?
A: None of them.
Q: Boxers or briefs?
A: Briefs
Q: What is it about F1 that people don’t know?
A: It’s not glamourous and it’s not fun.
Q: If one day you are in charge of an F1 team, what would you do?
A: I’m not really keen on that; I’m a driver not a manager.
Q: Will you let your two sons race?
A: I will prefer not, unless they really want to. I would prefer them to do something else, anything else, as I don’t want them living in their father’s shadow.
Q: How do you cope with pressure?
A: Stay calm, control yourself and stay cool.
Q: General advice on life?
A: Try to do what you like in life and when you can, try to get some time for yourself to enjoy life.
FACTFILE
JARNO TRULLI
Team: Lotus Racing
Debut: 1997 Australian Grand Prix
Date of Birth: 13 July 1974
Place of Birth: Pescara, Abruzzo
Marital Status: Married with two sons
Nationality: Italian
