Strong partnership for Trulli and Alonso

Jarno Trulli believes he and 2003 Renault team-mate Fernando Alonso have already formed a strong partnership. Alonso was team test driver in 2002 so Trulli and the young Spaniard are well acquainted but the Italian thinks he and Alonso match up slightly better than he did with 2002 partner Jenson Button. Trulli and Alonso spent some time in Kenya over the winter, working on a fitness programme with team boss Flavio Briatore.

Fernando Alonso and Jarno Trulli.

Photo by Renault F1.

Speaking at the launch of the R23 in Lucerne, Trulli said: "We have done a lot of preparation in Africa with Flavio Briatore and Fernando Alonso. I get on really well with my team-mate and I think we will be a very strong partnership."

"I got on well with Jenson Button too, it is just that he didn't speak Italian. If you both speak the same language it is much easier for everybody. People are different and maybe Alonso and I match-up slightly better, but any good team-mate is tough."

Trulli is optimistic for 2003 -- development on the R23 started back in November and with the aerodynamics, engine and gearbox, Renault is looking strong: "Development started early. We had the car ready in November and have done mileage already," he commented.

"The car looks very similar at the moment, but we will have a complete new aerodynamics package for the start of the season in Australia. We have a new engine and a new gearbox and it looks as though the guys have done a very good job."