Formula 1
Barrichello: "I've got what it takes"
Rubens Barrichello is refusing to let go of his dream to become Formula 1 World Champion, and believes he can do it at Maranello with Michael Schumacher as his team mate. Speaking to British newspaper The Sunday Mirror to declare his determination ...
Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM
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Rubens Barrichello is refusing to let go of his dream to become Formula 1 World Champion, and believes he can do it at Maranello with Michael Schumacher as his team mate. Speaking to British newspaper The Sunday Mirror to declare his determination to win the world championship, despite the current supremacy of four-time winner Michael Schumacher. Although many of the German's former team mates have told Barrichello he will not be able to beat him using the same machinery, Barrichello is determined to prosper at Ferrari.
"People ask how I can be a champion with Michael here," the Brazilian said. "They say it's a dream that will never come true. But I have to believe it will. I don't see it that way (as former team mate Eddie Irvine, that Schumacher is unbeatable). If you see it that way you make it too easy for Michael."
"It's not easy to be the No.2 to the best driver of all time. Michael is a super driver. He drives flat out all the time. But I have a big ambition and I feel I am going to get where I want. I don't know whether it will be next season, but I have wins inside me and I can improve.It's quite tough for me to be against Michael because the whole team is around him. I recognise that. I just have to be very tough mentally and know when the time for me has arrived", revealed the 29-year-old Brazilian.
Barrichello outqualified Schumacher twice in his debut season with the team last year, taking pole position at the British GP, and also beat the German in qualifying at this year's Italian GP. He also secured his maiden GP win, in Germany, last season after Schumacher was knocked out at the start following a collision with Giancarlo Fisichella.
As he builds up his own championship hopes, Barrichello also commented on those of Scottish rival David Coulthard, who has also revealed his desire to take the 2002 title. "Every year we hear it's going to be 'next year, next year' for Coulthard and that can be a suffocating thing," he declared. "If he does it, fine, but if he doesn't it's a big disappointment. He is a good driver and he is almost there all the time. He had a good start to the season, then all of a sudden he dropped right back (this year). But we all need to have some luck." Barrichello finished third, nine points behind Coulthard in second.
Continuing his remarks on British talent, Barrichello said he thought Renault driver Jenson Button had suffered at the hands of the expectant media after the his stellar debut, and reflected the youngster's situation on his own, in 1993 when he first burst onto the scene. "The expectation on Jenson was too much,’ he said. ‘He’s a boy. I’ve been through what he is going through. I was a boy. They gave me everything and then all of a sudden they took it all away from me. "I feel I have been through the cycle and it has made me much stronger. I had the pressure following Ayrton (Senna) and had a tough period. I got a new start with the Stewart family and I owe a lot to Jackie."
Barrichello will embark on his third term at Ferrari next year. Last season he finished third in the driver standings, behind Coulthard. "I know what I want and what I have to do," he concluded. "I have to keep working to make my championship dream come true."
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