Barrichello Wants Ferrari Future Sorted by March

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello wants to agree a contract extension with Ferrari before the Formula One season starts in March.

"We are starting talks now," Britain's Autosport magazine quoted him as saying in their Thursday edition. "What I want is to get to the start of the Championship, at the beginning of March, with my future sorted out."

Barrichello's contract with the champions runs out at the end of 2004 whereas Michael Schumacher, winner of a record sixth title this year, is signed up to the end of 2006.

With Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya moving from Williams to McLaren at the end of 2004 and other drivers eyeing the second Ferrari slot, Barrichello made clear that he wanted to stay.

"I have created for myself a situation everyone thought was impossible to have at Ferrari alongside Michael Schumacher," said Barrichello, who won two races in 2003 and ended the season fourth overall after being runner-up in 2002.

"I have a very good situation. I have the same status as Michael and I am very happy here."

Ferrari are expected to wait until Schumacher's long-term plans are clearer before committing themselves, despite the German insisting he has no plans to retire before the end of his contract.

However Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt sounded positive about the Brazilian, winner at Silverstone and the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix that helped hand Schumacher the Championship.

"We are very happy with him," he told the magazine. "He has improved a lot with the team and we don't see any particular reason not to move forward as we are."

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo told Italian reporters this week that Barrichello had a strong case.

"I don't see anyone around who is better than Rubens, somebody who has had two exceptional years and took a crucial win at Suzuka," he said. "With Barrichello we have the agreement until 2004, but we are in talks. At the right time we'll sign."