Brawn Defends Barrichello

Being Michael Schumacher's teammate is the toughest job in Formula One, according to Ferrari's technical director Ross Brawn, who has stepped in to defend the German's teammate Rubens Barrichello.

Barrichello is enduring a hard season in 2001, his second year alongside triple World Champion Schumacher, lying a massive 48 points behind his Championship leading teammate, who has scored six wins in ten races so far.

Barrichello has been unable to match Schumacher's pace this year and has been subject to a lot of criticism. But according to Briton Brawn, Barrichello is doing a good job at Ferrari, where he faces the toughest of challenges in Formula One racing.

"Rubens has done the best job of anyone I have seen in that position but he has got to learn to play within his ability, he has got to learn to drive within what he is capable of doing," Brawn was quoted as saying by Ananova. "There is a little bit of inconsistency, but he has been more consistent than last year. He has had one or two up and down races but I think frustration gets to you as well.

"Rubens is facing an incredibly tough challenge - anyone who is driving with Michael would have," Brawn added. "Just imagine what it must be like. It is a very tough challenge but he is coping with it quite well. When you have the same car and are trying to beat the best in the world it is tough and it gets to you sometimes.

"In other years Michael would have an off day and the other guy would be in front, but that's not happening so much this year. But Rubens is a good member of the team, he contributes a lot in testing and I would not want to change him for anyone else, but he has got the toughest job in F1."