SEPTEMBER 29, 1997

Trulli in for Nakano at Jerez

THE word in the paddock at the Nurburgring was that Jarno Trulli will be back in a Prost-Mugen Honda at the season-closing European Grand Prix at Jerez on October 26. The young Italian, who led the Austrian GP in such dominant fashion a few weeks ago, stood down for the Luxembourg GP to make way for Olivier Panis on his return from injury. Panis finished sixth to the delight of the Prost team.

The team's second driver Shinji Nakano has not been very convincing this season - although he has improved from a disastrous early few races - but Alain Prost has been unable to replace him because of Nakano's support from MugenÊHonda.

After the Japanese GP, however, Prost has got nothing to lose as he is switching to Peugeot engines next year and we believe that he is insisting that Trulli take over the car so that the team can add to its score in the Constructors' Championship.