Ralf Schumacher team-mate not decided

Toyota are yet to decide who will partner Ralf Schumacher next season, according to team president John Howett.

Jarno Trulli, who will leave Renault at the end of the year, is widely expected to team up with Schumacher but Howett revealed the decision has yet to be made.

He admitted Toyota are still considering taking up their option with Olivier Panis, who has driven with them for two seasons, while David Coulthard is also in talks.

He told www.f1racing.net: “At the moment it’s a case of waiting to see what will be best for the team. At the moment we’re talking with three drivers for next season.

“Jarno Trulli is one of them, but Olivier Panis still has a good chance to keep his seat. It’s now up to us to decide who will be the best option for 2005 to team up with Ralf.”

Meanwhile, Trulli today said he wants to get back in the points at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix after a disappointing run of form.

The Italian has been out of luck since announcing his departure from Renault at the end of the season and after retiring from the Hungarian Grand Prix he claimed that was no coincidence.

Trulli accused Renault of favouring Fernando Alonso – who will stay at Renault next season – but he has put that frustration behind him now and just wants to get back among the points.

Trulli, the only man to beat Michael Schumacher this season with his win at Monaco, said: “I haven’t scored points in the last three races, so my first priority will be to get the car to the finish and add to my championship total.

“I am still pushing 100% for myself and the team to try and consolidate my position in the championship, and also to help Renault to second place in the constructors’ race.

“I had an excellent first half of the season, and I want to get that run of form back again for the last five races.

“That would be a good way to round off a very successful season for me.”

Trulli feels Spa-Francorchamps is the perfect place for him to prove his abilities again.

The legendary Belgian track is back on the Formula One calendar after a one-year absence and Trulli is excited by the challenge it represents.

“As a driver, it really demands total concentration – but you also must find the rhythm of the circuit and plug into it,” he said.

“You need to be right on the limit over the entire lap, but you are talking about one minute 40 seconds here rather than one minute 15.

“And at Spa, that limit is just a little bit harder to find than at more normal tracks. I think it is a circuit that really shows a driver’s true potential.”

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