Trulli recaps on Brazil weekend

The Renault driver scored one point yesterday after a crazy weekend. Here is his account of events at Interlagos.

Jarno Trulli still cannot quite believe it. "The Brazilian Grand Prix was like a nightmare," he said. "I know now that Fernando is fine, and I have to admit that I am relieved. He and I have become really good friends over the past few months. I don't see him as a rival, but as a partner. I congratulate him on his podium place, although we would have all preferred it to happen in other circumstances."

Friday: "All weekend, the weather was unpredictable, and it played havoc with our nerves," reveals Jarno. "From Friday morning, the rain disrupted our programme. In the private tests, we were only able to run for 90 minutes on a dry track. The shower then broke out and we concentrated on tests with a wet weather configuration. Allan McNish had a gearbox problem and we couldn't get the data we had wanted, but it was not too serious. I didn't have much luck in qualifying; I started when the track conditions were at their worst, and all I could do was limit the damage."

Saturday: "We finally had a bit of sun! I lost some time, however, when my clutch gave out at the end of the first free practice session. The team managed to repair it, and I was able to take part in the last 15 minutes of the second session. I finished in 3rd position. The balance of the car was very good and I was confident for the race. In qualifying, I did an almost perfect lap and I finished where I wanted to finish: 5th. It augured well for the race."

Sunday: "A storm was brewing, and it errupted at 11 o'clock local time, while I was answering questions with the guests of Renault in the team's hospitalit suite. The rain didn't stop. When we got onto the grid, there was a lull and so we hoped for better conditions. A few minutes later however, the shower got much heavier. The start was put back by 15 minutes, so we had to hang around in the rain. It was obvious that we would have to start behind the safety car. Then I had a bit of bad luck. I came together with Ralf Schumacher on the third corner which sent me spinning off, and I lost quite a few places. Then I tried to climb back up the field but the safety car kept disrupting my progress. In the end, the race was stopped when I had just made my second pit-stop!

"At the end of the day, I am not that happy with my result. The most important thing, however, is that Fernando is all right and the team once again has got both cars in the points. We are now 2nd in the constructors' championship, and we can be proud of that."

-renault-

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