The Jordan driver, who is about to start his fifth season in Formula 1, insisted that an ‘overall best driver’ did not exist and that it all depended on the car.

“Give me a Ferrari and I will demonstrate that Michael Schumacher is not the best driver,” he said. “The best driver on absolute does not exist and never has. I have always beaten my team-mates, both in qualifying and the races.

“I was faster than Olivier Panis at the time of Prost and Olivier won at Monte Carlo. I have done better than Heinz-Harald Frentzen who was quicker than Schumacher in the Mercedes sports-prototypes. Given the same car, I’m sure I could do as well as Michael Schumacher, if not beat him.”

Although Trulli has so far shown no intention of wanting to leave Jordan Grand Prix, he admitted he would willingly drive for the Italian team, should they one day offer him the chance.

“A driver who goes to Ferrari,” he continued, “always has a greater chance of winning - now more than ever.

"I would personally accept an offer from Ferrari because I think I have demonstrated that I am an Italian driver who is capable of starting from the front row. All I need now is a win, and I feel sure Ferrari would help me to achieve that.”