Barrichello Confident of Fighting for Title

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello is confident he will be able to fight for his first drivers' title in the 2004 season.

Barrichello, who last year finished in fourth place in the drivers' standings, will start his fifth season with the Italian squad alongside six-time World Champion Michael Schumacher, who has won four titles since Barrichello joined Ferrari.

"I think I have always been a challenge for Michael and this year, the Championship should be wide open and I will give it my best shot," said Barrichello at the launch of the new Ferrari in Maranello. "As a driver you must always believe you can do it.

"All the work that has gone into the F2004 means I can be optimistic about this coming year," added the Brazilian driver. "Of course it will be tough, but I would like to start this year the way I finished the last one. After 2003, I now feel much more like a winner."

Barrichello, who extended his contract with Ferrari until the end of 2006, also played down concerns that he might not have enough time to adapt to the new F2004 before the season starts in Australia on March 7.

"While Michael will be the first to drive F2004 to check it out, I will have six days running a tyre programme with the old car," he said.

"Then, we will have two F2004 and I will have sufficient time to get used to it. With a new car, the most important thing to sort out is the driving position, because you get used very quickly to its characteristics on track, in terms of how it handles and performs."