Trulli delighted with new Lotus steering

Old man Jarno Trulli like power steering on his Lotus

(GMM) Jarno Trulli began to put his formula one career back together on Friday.

The Italian veteran sat out last weekend's German grand prix as Team Lotus worked to install a new power steering system.

Trulli, 37, has been complaining about the T128's steering all season, as he was usually outpaced by Heikki Kovalainen.

But on Friday at the Hungaroring, he was half a second faster than his Finnish teammate.

"I want to thank the whole team because they have all been patient with me and have worked hard to give me the new power steering system and a car that I can really feel," Trulli said.

"As soon as I pulled out this morning it felt so much better than before," he added.

At the front, Nurburgring winner Lewis Hamilton led both of Friday's 90 minute practice sessions.

"McLaren and Ferrari are very quick," said Red Bull's championship leader Sebastian Vettel, "so I think we need to raise our game to make sure that we will find ourselves at the top as well."