Trulli takes the slow track to explore Malaysia

SEPANG: Team Lotus driver Jarno Trulli swapped an F1 car for a slower race machine to discover Malaysia better before this weekend's Malaysia Grand Prix. For the past few years, the 36-year-old Italian racer has been flying in and out for the race without spending much time to explore what Malaysia has to offer in the countryside. Until now, when he came straight after the Australian GP a fortnight ago and managed to check out the scenic places in the country other than the Sepang F1 track.

Ready to roll: Trulli going for a spin on two wheels during his preparations for the Malaysia F1 Grand Prix starting in Sepang Friday. — Reuters

“I joined a local professional cycling team (Le Tua) on their ride to great places such as Fraser's Hill and Cameron Highlands. It was amazing,” said Trulli, adding that the highest point of the ride was almost 1,600m above sea level. When not in the seat of a super-fast F1 car, he said cycling was one of his hobbies, which included running to stay in shape during the off-season. He also liked staying at home with his family.

Trulli, like teammate Heikki Kovalainen, is into his second season with Team Lotus and is looking forward to performing well in front of the home fans in the Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix starting today. “We (Team Lotus) have taken a big step forward and I believe we can show our true performance in Sepang,” said Trulli, who started his F1 career with the Prost team in 1997.

Kovalainen, like Trulli, has also been discovering more about Malaysia. After the Australian GP, he decided on a holiday in Langkawi last week. The 29-year-old Finn was also thrilled with Kuala Lumpur's downtown scene, especially at night. “I've been here for about three weeks. I like the food, hot weather and sunshine,” he said, adding that his current favourite food was chicken satay.

Kovalainen had tweeted about his various jaunts around the city since his arrival, including having Tutti Frutti yoghurt. The best part of being an F1 driver, he said, was the thrill of competing with the other cars. “On the downside, our job needs a lot of patience from family and friends. I'm lucky mine are very understanding,” he said, adding that he kept in touch with them via Skype and mobile phone.

-thestar online.