Barrichello: Brawn has title-winning car

On the back of he and teammate Jenson Button's 1-2 finish in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Barrichello is convinced that the BGP 001 has what it takes to go all the way to the championship.

However, Barrichello thinks that the key factor in whether or not the car can achieve that feat is in whether Brawn GP's size and finances will be a hindrance when it comes to fighting against the might of Formula 1's manufacturers.

"The car is great," Barrichello told AUTOSPORT in the build-up to this weekend's race in Malaysia. "The car is a title-winning car.

"The only thing is that it is a much-smaller team - well prepared but with only a couple of tests behind us. So it is very early to say we have everything in hand, because I am sure when you test so little small things can happens.

"Although we have a fantastic team, well-prepared, it is too early to say we are contenders definitely. But in the whole potential of me after 16-years of driving cars, I can see that this car has the potential to win races for a long time."

One element Barrichello is convinced will not be a factor in affecting the team's performance will be the diffuser issue - irrespective of what happens at next month's FIA Appeal Court hearing.

"I tell you - whenever the McLaren crashed into me from behind, the diffuser was broken," said the Brazilian. "I still had the pace, so it is not just there - it is the whole situation.

"People can say whatever they want, but I hope the FIA will have the same application as they did before the race - that it is good enough."

Brawn GP was dominant in Australia, but Barrichello thinks things will be much closer in Sepang this time out.

"In Australia we had the visibility as a problem," he said. "We had the temperature dropping and we actually had a fantastic feeling with the car - and perhaps better than others. In Malaysia I think the racing car be closer.

"Ferrari will definitely be closer there; McLaren has always been good there. I was surprised with Red Bull - so I think it will be close racing."