Toyota's new signing Jarno Trulli will yet race in China next week despite already having tested for his new Formula One team, Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper reported on Friday.

"I prefer to wait until 2005 to return to grands prix," said Trulli, who parted from Renault this week and took his first test with Toyota at Silverstone on Thursday.

"But I have started early my preparations for next season, I have gained time," he added.

Toyota's contracted drivers to the end of the year are French veteran Olivier Panis, who will retire in October, and Brazilian Ricardo Zonta -- promoted from test driver after compatriot Cristiano da Matta left last month.

Trulli's two-year deal with Toyota was announced this week but he confirmed that he had started talking with the Germany-based team before he won this year's Monaco Grand Prix in May.