Barrichello talks up title chances

Despite official denials, it is generally believed that Barrichello's contract requires him to support Schumacher to the detriment of his own title bid. However, in an interview with Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Barrichello declared that he would be going for the crown himself next season.

"I want to win immediately, at the first Grand Prix," he is quoted as saying. "For my first season with Ferrari I had an objective of between 50 and 60 points. To have achieved 62 points is already a success. Now I would like to turn the six into a nine and reach 92 points. World Championships have been won with fewer points.

"Now I know Ferrari I will go well and I will win more."

Barrichello finished fourth in the championship in 2000, taking a single victory in the German Grand Prix but generally playing second fiddle to Schumacher, as he is widely expected to do again in 2001. The official Ferrari line is that whichever driver is faster will be allowed to win, and in practice Schumacher has invariably had the upper hand. However, team orders did come into play during 2000, with Barrichello holding station behind his ailing team-mate in the Canadian Grand Prix rather than going for victory.

Barrichello briefly looked set to challenge for the title in 2000 after his Hockenheim victory took him to within ten points of the series lead. However, in the six remaining Grands Prix the Brazilian scored just 16 points, whereas Schumacher accumulated 52 points in the same period.