Barrichello confident of better weekend

After ending up ninth on the timesheets, one place ahead of teammate Jenson Button, the Brazilian is hopeful that the nightmare of Magny-Cours can be forgotten.

"We weren't able to complete all the running we had planned but I think we are looking a little more competitive than we were at the last race," said Barrichello.

"However, it's only Friday. There's a long way to go yet and it's too early to draw any firm conclusions. At this stage though I'm feeling good about the car and I hope this will continue through the rest of the weekend."

Button, who was knocked out in the first session of qualifying in France, was less committal about the prospects for the weekend.

"The rain shower made life a little bit difficult but apart from that the car is working well so far," he said. "We'll just have to wait and see how the rest of the weekend pans out."