Source: The Expat magazine April 2011, article by Nick Atkinson 
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This article has been edited for ExpatGoMalaysia.com

Jarno Trulli was born on July 13, 1974 in Pescara, Abruzzo, Italy. He is a professional Formula One racing driver. Married with two children Jarno openly admits he is not a “typical Italian”. He arrives early for appointments; does not care for football, and he even has a Finnish name – he is called Jarno after a Finnish motorcycle rider.

Schooled for 12 years in karting, Jarno came to Formula One with an impressive list of achievements; not least, he is the only Formula One driver to have won everything there is to win in karting. He had not dreamt of becoming an F1 driver. “I loved karting and just thought I would be a professional driver of some kind,” he explains. “I only started to dream after I won the F3 Championship in 1996.” His Formula 1 career started in 1997 with Minardi and he has raced for Jordan, Renault and Toyota before joining Team Lotus in 2010. With an incredible 236 Grand Prix races, he is only second to Rubens Barrichello in the race count. “I don’t want to be famous; I just want to be a good, winning driver. That is just something I want for myself.”

This year marks Jarno’s 15th season in F1. By joining Team Lotus, Jarno has the chance to spearhead the further development of a brand new team into F1. His vast experience racing at the pinnacle of motorsport and his respected reputation as a team-player will be vital characteristics to the new Team Lotus as they fight their way up the grid during 2011.

Nick Atkinson of The Expat had the opportunity to put a few questions to Jarno during the run up to the start of the 2011 F1 calendar.

The Expat: As a relatively young F1 circuit, how do you enjoy the Sepang International Circuit?
Jarno: In my opinion, Malaysia is the only circuit of the new era which really combines the new technology together with a lot of techniques and challenges so it is one of the circuits that I most like.

The Expat: There was a fair amount of media attention with the name Team Lotus …..Do you have any personal thoughts on this?
Jarno: No, all we have to do is to drive our car and deliver a good result… nothing else. We don’t have to care about people and media attention. We need to concentrate on our jobs.

The Expat: Do you see Team Lotus achieving what Red Bull did?
Jarno: It has been proved by Red Bull that we can do it…but definitely we need a bit more experience.

The Expat: Your CEO Riad Asmat said that “…the plan for our (Team Lotus) second year was to take the fight to the midfield, and with this car we are all confident that is what we will be able to do.” You are in the driving seat….Do you feel this is possible?
Jarno: Oh yes, we definitely have the package to do that with a good engine, good gearbox and a brand new car. At the moment we need to fix some minor problems but we think we can deliver a good result this year.

The Expat: Do you have any concerns with the 19 or 20-race calendar in 2011?
Jarno: I think 19 or 20 races is probably enough, but I think it’s hard on everyone and I am not just talking on the car side. I’m also talking about the team members and the organisation.

The Expat: Do you believe that team orders are a necessity? Is it down to individual characters?
Jarno: F1 is a team game so team orders should be accepted, in my opinion.

The Expat: You have been in the sport a long time. Do all F1 drivers get on outside of the racing scene?
Jarno: I think we have such a limited time, once we are away we just want to get on with our lives.

The Expat: Who do you think will win the championship this year?
Jarno: At the moment it is way, way too early to predict.

The Expat: With more than 200 races under your belt, do you have any personal schedule/challenge in Formula 1? Do you see yourself racing more than Ruben’s 300?
Jarno: Ha, I don’t know. I’m not really looking at numbers, I mean I don’t know how many races I have raced but I mainly look at my shape and my speed…and that’s the main thing.

The Expat: Do you have a personal goal to accomplish with Team Lotus this year?
Jarno: My targets go together with the team’s targets so I just want to be in the midst of the battle for the points…and we will see where we are at the end of the season.

The Expat: It is fascinating to find out that you have another passion – Wine. Is this passion part of your Italian heritage?
Jarno: Yes, especially with my region because I come from a region where it is the culture to have wine and produce wine. My grandfather used to make wine and it is very interesting to make wine which is why I am involved in it now.

The Expat: You have your own vineyard. Do you “get your hands dirty” with the wine production? Can we see you pulling grapes?
Jarno: Not really working but I have been there…it’s very interesting I can tell you. It’s very nice.

The Expat: Do you have a favourite wine…other than your own?
Jarno: (laughing) I have plenty of favourite wines!

The Expat: And finally what is your favourite Italian restaurant in Kuala Lumpur’?
Jarno: Modesto’s!!