Trulli eyes a first ever GP victory

Jarno Trulli set his sights on a maiden Formula One victory after claiming his first-ever pole position in Monaco today.

The Italian took his Renault to the fastest-ever lap of the twisty street circuit, clocking one minute 13.985 to give him a superb chance of breaking Michael Schumacher’s stranglehold on the season.

Schumacher has won the first five races of the season and would set a new record for the best start to a campaign with victory on Sunday.

But he was put firmly into the shade by Trulli today, who still fears the German will be a contender despite starting from fourth on a track notoriously difficult to overtake on.

Trulli said: “For once he is not on the front row, for once I am leading.

“It must be very disappointing to be behind at Monaco but he’s still champion and he’s still someone who can make it back and I’m sure he will fight very hard tomorrow – now I will just enjoy myself.

“I knew we would be really close to each other so I knew I had to take lots of risks. I just hope that tomorrow I can keep this pace.

“I always thought that I’d be looking for my first pole position here – I got it. I’ve always said I’m looking for my first win – hopefully I will get it.

“It’s being a long time but it came with the right team because I am very happy to work with Renault who have done great job over the last few weeks, particularly the car’s handling, which here in Monaco is what you need.

“I was very surprised about my lap time, it’s a great feeling for me, it’s also a great feeling for the team. We have been chasing this result for quite a long time.”

Trulli will line up alongside Englishman Jenson Button, who put handling difficulties with his BAR in practice behind him to record an excellent lap time, just 0.411secs slower than pole.

With overtaking nearly impossible on the narrow Principality streets, the first corner tomorrow could well decide who wins the race, but Trulli’s primary aim from the start is to complete the opening lap unscathed.

“The start will be very important but it doesn’t mean that if you are leading by the first corner you are going to win the race,” he said.

“We know that Monaco is such a difficult race, anything can happen. It’s just a matter of getting out of the first corner without any major accident and then we can race.”

Button is anticipating fireworks at the start, with both Renault and BAR famed for their fast getaways.

Renault’s Fernando Alonso lines up third on the grid and he and fourth-placed Schumacher will hope to use the opening lap to make up ground.

Button said: “As everyone knows the Renaults are very good off the line so I’ve got to wait and see.

“It is very important. I’ve not just got to look forwards at getting past Jarno but also backwards to keeping Fernando behind.

“Takuma [Sato] and myself have been able to get good starts this year, in Imola it was a pretty good start from the front so it’s going to be interesting.”

Trulli has promised a fair fight though, insisting he has no intention of clubbing together with team-mate Alonso to keep Button and Schumacher at bay.

Ferrari have made such team work their speciality, with Rubens Barrichello regularly attempting to hold up rivals for Schumacher, but Trulli has vowed Renault will not resort to such tactics.

“I don’t think it’s fair on me or Fernando – everyone is racing for victory, we just have to do our best,” he said.

“We shall see what happens, maybe Ferrari haven’t got enough pace – you don’t know. Maybe they are not on such a good pace, tomorrow they will be quicker but we feel confident for the race.”

Ralf Schumacher set the second fastest time today but he will have to start from 12th after incurring a 10 place penalty for his engine change on Thursday.

That was good news for Scotland’s David Coulthard, who will start from eighth after setting the ninth fastest time, a second slower than Trulli.