Rubens Barrichello, who was a major element in teammate Michael Schumacher’s record sixth world drivers’ championship last year, wants more personal success at Ferrari this season.
Team player Barrichello has been rewarded for his dependability and growing stature with a new contract locking him to Ferrari until 2006.
It was the Brazilian’s win in the final race at Suzuka last October that protected Schumacher from a concerted title challenge from Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen in a McLaren.
In the end, although Schumacher could only finish eighth in Japan, he held on to the championship by two points from Raikkonen, who was beaten into second place by Barrichello.
Barrichello is entering his fifth season with Ferrari and 12th in formula one.
Last year he added the British grand prix to his Suzuka triumph and finished the season with three pole positions and three fastest laps.
”When I came into Ferrari, everyone told me ‘there is no chance for you, it’s all going to be for Michael’,” Barrichello said at a Ferrari team press conference in Melbourne on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s season-opener.
”I am quite determined to make it work, and right now I have a fantastic team that works not just for Michael but for myself.
”The proof of that was last year — it was such a heavy year, and we needed points all the time, and I won a few grands prix, and I was racing faster, I was quicker. I hope to be a surprise myself this year.”
Although Schumacher ranks as the all-time drivers’ champion ahead of Juan Manuel Fangio, he is not discounting his teammate as a potential challenger.
”He has improved his game a lot over the years, he has become stronger and stronger, and I just hope he stops now,” Schumacher said.
Barrichello is looking ahead with confidence towards the new season amid the title challenges thrown out by Williams and McLaren.
”When you go through testing in December with the old car, you have a lot of expectation with people talking about the new car and you never know what is going to happen,” Barrichello said.
”Then when I finally tried it I see the car is better — they have done a fantastic job, it makes me so proud.
”Fifty percent of going faster is on the tyres. But I would say all the development we can do on the car — the aerodynamics, mechanical and engine — there is more than just the tyres.
”Since Japan the tyres have improved quite a lot, and I’m quite happy with that.” — Sapa-AFP