Tyre rule another new challenge

This season one set of tyres will have to last for both qualifying and the race so drivers will have to use quick thinking rather than just a quick foot on the accelerator, according to Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello. The FIA's reason for the tyre rule is that harder compounds will reduce cornering speed, one of the changes aimed at slowing the cars down.

Rubens Barrichello.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

"It (the tyre rule) is something that we still have to learn," Barrichello told the press at Ferrari's annual winter event at Madonna di Campiglio. "I don't think we can drive the cars in the same way as we did last year, pushing from the beginning to the end. The problem now is that if you flat-spot a tyre, you're virtually finished. We are going to have to use our heads more than our feet."

If Michael Schumacher is bored of being asked when he's going to retire, Barrichello is surely weary of questions about his "No.2" status to the world champion. As usual, the Brazilian reiterated his intention to beat his teammate.

"It doesn't matter what number is on my car," he said. "What counts is what number I aim to have on my car and for the next season I want it be number one. I'm always there, I'm always fully committed. If, one day, I should start thinking and say that 'look, I will never catch Michael' I'm sure that from that day I would not stay at Ferrari because I would lose the motivation to be the best."

"I love what I do, because I have a team behind me which is extremely nice, with all the engineers, my mechanics, everyone and so really it is all enjoyable from my point. I'm also happy that Michael is in the team because it means that we can push even more, each one pushes the other to go faster."

Barrichello revealed that he and Schumacher, along with other team members will visit the Pope on Monday. Meanwhile, long-time Ferrari tester Luca Badoer has signed up for another two years with the Maranello squad. "I hope we continue to enjoy as much success as we have," said Badoer.