Barrichello ready to win

Rubens Barrichello believes he can fight Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen for the world championship in his first season at Ferrari. But he said he was not focused on just locking horns with his Ferrari teammate, generally regarded as the world's best driver

Mar 9, 2000, 7:14 AM

"I am not here to fight Michael. He is one of the best drivers in the world and one of the reasons that gave me the motivation to sign for Ferrari," said Barrichello.

"I am here as a team player but I cannot afford to be fighting for Michael. I have to fight for myself. After the years of racing I would be lying if I said I could not win races.

"Just being a Ferrari driver means I will have the machinery to do it but I still have to go out there and make it work. I believe I can be a challenger for the championship."

The Brazilian has done thousands of miles in testing - more that his teammate who has said he will ease back on his testing commitments in a bid to remain fresh if the championship goes to the wire later in the year.

"I've done lots of testing and I could not be better prepared and I could not be with a better prepared team," said Barrichello.