Barrichello feels more like a winner

Rubens Barrichello is ready to challenge not only teammate Michael Schumacher but also the rest of the grid in his bid for the 2004 world championship. The new Ferrari F2004 is being touted by the team, as they always do with their new cars, the ...

Rubens Barrichello is ready to challenge not only teammate Michael Schumacher but also the rest of the grid in his bid for the 2004 world championship. The new Ferrari F2004 is being touted by the team, as they always do with their new cars, the best one yet and Barrichello is ready for the forthcoming season.

Rubens Barrichello with the new Ferrari F2004.

Photo by Ferrari Media Center.

"All the work that has gone into the F2004 means I can be optimistic about this coming year," said Barrichello at the launch of the F2004 in Maranello. "Of course it will be tough, but I would like to start this year the way I finished the last one." (With a win)

"I think I have always been a challenge for Michael and this year, the championship should be wide open and I will give it my best shot. As a driver you must always believe you can do it."

Schuamcher will be the driver who puts the new car through its paces but Barrichello is not concerned that he may not have much track time in the F2004 himself before Melbourne in six weeks.

"While Michael will be the first to drive F2004 to check it out, I will have six days running a tyre programme with the old car," he explained. "Then, we will have two F2004 and I will have sufficient time to get used to it."

"With a new car, the most important thing to sort out is the driving position because you get used very quickly to its characteristics on track, in terms of how it handles and performs."

Barrichello took two victories in 2003, Britain and Japan, taking his tally of wins to seven in his career, all with Ferrari. From his results last season, the Brazilian is confident: "After 2003, I now feel much more like a winner!" He declared.