Brawn GP keeps expectations in check

The Brazilian and team-mate Jenson Button have delivered some strong times in winter testing and most of their rivals believe the BGP001 is the car to beat in Melbourne.

But Barrichello insists the team is not getting too carried away with its prospects - especially since it did not have a full winter testing programme.

"We have only six days of testing behind us, so every prediction is a gamble," Barrichello told Gazzetta dello Sport. "We keep our feet on the ground, even though we know we have a quick and reliable car."

He added: "So Melbourne could spring a surprise. We are the team that has shone most in testing, and I've come here with great confidence."

Barrichello believes that the early development work the team conducted in creating the car is paying off - and making up for some frustrating times he had at Honda.

"Especially the last two seasons were very disappointing, it looked like there was no limit to the worst," he said. "At the end of 2005 I left Ferrari to find a team with whom to fight for the championship without someone always telling me what to do, when I could win and when I couldn't.

"But up until now I've never had a good car to go for it: the Honda from the last two years was almost an insult.

"Now I have a truly competitive car, in a small yet high-quality team. We've spent four months at home to make developments, we knew where to change and what to fix. Now it's the right time to take it to the track and win. I can do it."