According to the Italian driver, Toyota team principal Tadashi Yamashina told him prior to the Brazilian Grand Prix that the team will make a final decision on his future in mid-November.
“All I can say is that I have promised to Yamashina when he kindly asked me to wait until mid November to decide what I will do for the future. Obviously somehow he is hoping to keep me on board and I want to respect this,” said Trulli, who also reckoned there are several options for him to continue in F1 next year, Toyota aside.
“I have some other options obviously because I don't know if Toyota is continuing with me or not,” added the Italian driver.
Toyota's change of strategy for the 2010 lineup seems to have been triggered by Kimi Raikkonen's refusal to join the Cologne based team next year. According to Toyota's president John Howett, the Finn's manager turned down the team's offer for his client in recent days, arguing that Kimi is asking for more money from the Japanese manufacturer.
“His manager has asked for more money and we've said we think we've put enough money on the table,” admitted Howett in an interview with British TV BBC at Interlagos.
Under the circumstances, Toyota might have to keep at least one of their current drivers for 2010, as there aren't many high-ranked drivers out there to sign. Having lost the chance to sign Robert Kubica for 2010 and now with Kimi out of the picture, Howett's plan to do a complete remapping of the team's lineup next year seems less probable by the minute.
A few days ago, it was the same Howett that expressed his doubts that Trulli will continue with Toyota for another year.
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