Toyota's Trulli wants Monza podium on Sunday

Jarno Trulli hopes to return to the podium in front of his home fans in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

The Italian has helped Toyota to new heights this season, claiming the team's first podium finish as well as their maiden pole position. But after a strong start, Toyota have fallen off the pace of Renault and McLaren, with BAR-Honda also claiming the upper hand in recent races.

Trulli has not been on the podium since the Spanish Grand Prix in May but he wants to end that drought in front of his own countrymen.

"It's always nice to race in front of your own fans and I like Monza. I'd love to score another podium. It is a special place with a lot of history," Trulli told reporters.

"It is very high speed of course, and we had the opportunity to test before the race, so hopefully we will be in good shape.

"But everyone else was testing as well and the competitiveness of Formula One gets stronger and stronger."

Webber optimistic

Another driver seeking to lift his team's fortunes next Sunday is Mark Webber, of Williams.

After a disappointing end to the Turkish GP when Williams had looked good to score points, he heads to Monza this week hungry to get back into the points-scoring positions.

The Williams team has clawed its way back up from the mid-season slump and is looking more competitive in recent races.

"Monza is a circuit that stands alone in terms of set-up," Webber said.

"It's a fast circuit where we are looking for a maximum speed all the time. I've finished in the points on this track in the last couple of years and I hope that we can do that again this time.

"We might not quite have the pace of McLaren and Renault, but I think we can get a reasonable result. If we can get some good, solid points it will not be a bad race for us."