JULY 25, 2006

Trulli and Toyota ready to announce new deal

Jarno Trulli and Toyota have been in discussion about the future in recent weeks but the word on the street is that the 32-year-old Italian will stay with Panasonic Toyota Racing again next season. The details of the deal are now being worked out but an announcement will be coming soon. It is worth noting that the team's test driver Olivier Panis may be moving on at the end of the season, the Frenchman apparently not satisfied with simply testing and keen to keep on racing, presumably in sports or touring cars. The most likely destination for Olivier is the DTM as he has long enjoyed a close relationship with Mercedes-Benz, thanks to his efforts as McLaren test driver in 2000.