Barrichello believes longer contract on the cards

Until recently, relations between Barrichello and his team mate, world champion Michael Schumacher, have appeared harmonious. But after last weekend's Malaysian GP, the 28-year-old was openly critical of Schumacher's outside pass on him in the treacherous early conditions. However, he does not feel this will jeopardise his long-term future with the team.

The Brazilian's contract is up for renewal at the end of the current season, feels he is in a strong position to extend his stay when negotiations begin. Barrichello won his first ever Grand Prix in Germany last year and finished fourth in the overall standings.

"I'm like a kid who's gone to a new school, behaved well, made friends with everyone, and so can get on even better in the second year," he said in Autosport's sister publication Motoring News. "I'm very happy and I think the team is happy with what I'm doing."

So far this season, Barrichello has taken a third and a second from the first two races, and qualified on the front row of the grid in each. Along with McLaren's David Coulthard, he holds joint second in the standings behind Schumacher, who has won both GPs

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn, who played down the incident between Schumacher and Barrichello, praised the Brazilian for his Brazilian performance.

"You can see from this weekend that Rubens is pushing Michael like hell," he said. " So if someone was to get it back, it could well be Rubens. I hope so."