Barrichello adapting quickly to new car

In a meeting with the press on Thursday afternoon in Barcelona, Rubens Barrichello shared the general mood within the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team of eager anticipation at racing the F2003-GA for the first time. However, the Brazilian was quick to ...

In a meeting with the press on Thursday afternoon in Barcelona, Rubens Barrichello shared the general mood within the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team of eager anticipation at racing the F2003-GA for the first time. However, the Brazilian was quick to deny any suggestion that its introduction had been rushed because of a crisis at the Scuderia, after it failed to win in the first three races this year.

Ross Brawn discusses with Rubens Barrichello.

Photo by Ferrari Media Center.

"Within the team there was no talk of crisis, because we always knew we could win races," said the Brazilian. "But we never did until Imola. That was a boost for us as it happened at home, in front of our fans. Now we have the new car here in Spaiu for its first race and the plan is to keep maintaining that momentum."

Barrichello was obviously eager to debut the new car. "I am happy to be driving it here," he said. "I have solved the only difficulty I had with it, which was my seating position. It is a big step forward compared with F2002. There was no problem adapting to the new car and learning where all the controls are on the steering wheel for example. Ferrari is very good at maintaining continuity in that area. There always seem to be more and more buttons, but the existing ones are always kept in their original positions."

Barrichello is confident that he and the team will adapt very quickly to the switch from F2002 to F2003-GA. "In the last test, I learnt a lot more about how to set it up and I feel confident about using it," reckoned Rubens. "For the mechanics it is fairly similar to work on. I am optimistic about the future with this car. We know the performance is there and so far reliability seems good, but we know that in this sport anything can happen."

"Last week we set ourselves a target in terms of mileage and we achieved it, so we can be optimistic. I really do feel that it is the best Ferrari car we have ever had, in every respect: traction, braking, downforce and so on."