Barrichello confident with Baldisseri

Having spent yesterday in Tokyo, attending a promotional event for Shell in the morning and a press conference for Bridgestone in the afternoon, Rubens Barrichello was once again facing the media on arrival at Suzuka, on the panel for the FIA press conference this afternoon.

The first question concerned recent suggestions as to how the sport could be made more exciting for spectators- adding ballast to the quickest cars, swapping drivers from team to team and so on. "I don't want to say too much just yet," began the Brazilian. "I would rather wait until there are some firm proposals. However, I would add that some recent changes to the rules, such as grooved tyres, go against the spirit of Formula 1. We don't have grooved tyres in karts, F3 or F3000, so why in F1?"

Here on Bridgestone's home turf, Rubens was asked why only Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro had enjoyed great success on the Japanese tyres this year. "I cannot speak for the other teams," he began. "But I can tell you that we test almost every day, as we have a team of four drivers. Obviously the other teams have the opportunity to test also, but it is fair to say that because of the heavy tyre programme we run, we can have a greater influence over the tyres that Bridgestone produces.

At the Italian GP, the team's technical director Ross Brawn did not arrive in the Monza paddock until Saturday, as he was suffering with a bad back. The Englishman will not be coming to Suzuka for this event. "I am sure Luca Baldisserri can do a fantastic job," maintained Rubens. "He knows what to do. But in any case, we have fantastic technology linking us to Ross back in Europe. Already in Italy, I was amazed that he could talk to me over the radio while I was in the car and it was just as though he was there."

Finally, Barrichello was asked what his plans were once the season ends on Sunday night. "I am going to Italy for the "Tutte le Ferrari in Pista" event at the Misano circuit and then I will return to my home in Brazil, where I will stay until testing begins again."

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