Team Lotus announced on Sunday morning in the Monza paddock thay Jarno Trulli has extended his contract with the team for at least another year, taking him to the end of 2012.
The Italian joined the squad for the 2010 season alongside Heikki Kovalainen and finished 21st out of 27 runners, he currently sits one place better for the 2011 season in 20th.
Tony Fernandes, team principal, believes Trulli’s vital experience will help the outfit to progress up the grid in 2012.
“We are all delighted that we have been able to reach an agreement to keep Jarno on board for at least one more year with our team. He has shown in qualifying in Monza just how much pace he has and how he can wring every last drop of performance out of his car and since day one with us he has brought a level of professionalism, insight and raw speed to our team that has helped accelerate our development on and off track.
“Today’s announcement will give us the benefit of his experience and knowledge into 2012, another very important year in the growth of our team.”
Jarno added his comments, saying: “I am very pleased that we have been able to confirm today that my contract with Team Lotus has been extended into 2012. The challenge I first accepted when I joined the team is becoming more exciting every day, and I am very proud that I can keep helping the team take steps forward for at least another year.
“I would like to thank Tony, Kamarudin and Nasa for the chance to keep working with them, Riad, Mike and the whole team and I am looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead.”
