Trulli's madly, deeply keen to win

SILVERSTONE, England, July 19 (AFP) - Jarno Trulli said on Saturday that he will not be intimidated by the sharks of Formula One who will surround him on the grid at Sunday's British Grand Prix.

The Italian stunned the world championship title chasers in qualifying here by taking his Renault to second place on the grid, just 0.172secs behind pole sitter, Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello.

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But as he chases his first even grand prix win in his 107th race, the 29-year-old will have to contend with McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen, Williams' Ralf Schumacher and world champion Michael Schumacher all chasing him down in what will be a desperate dogfight for the first corner.

"For sure both Ferrari and Williams will be fighting for victory but I have the hunger to beat them," said Trulli whose best result so far in his six-year career came in 2002 with a second place at the European Grand Prix.

"I was a little surprised to be second because no-one in the team expected us to be so quick.

"When I crossed the line and my engineer said I was second, I couldn't believe it.

"We had problems on Friday and in Saturday's warm-up but I am very experienced and I kept my cool and did the job. I am struggling to understand where it all came from.

"It's not nice having to start from the dirty side of the track but I am happy just to be in that position."

However, two weeks ago neither he nor teammate Fernando Alonso were feeling particularly joyous when both had to retire from the French Grand Prix with mechanical problems.

"We didn't have the engine upgrade until today and I would say it is four times better than the one at Magny-Cours," said Trulli.

"It is difficult to say if there is a bigger step to come but the problems we had in France have now been solved."

Now the intention is to get the points that technical director Mike Gascoyne has demanded so that Renault's ambition of clinching third place in the championship can be realised.

Currently, they are fourth - 33 points behind McLaren.

"We are getting close to the top teams," said Trulli.

"Renault have improved on and off the track and I think third position in the championship is very possible.

"That is our aim and everyone is working towards it."

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