Barrichello Confident 'Virtual Brawn' to Perform as Usual

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello today backed Ferrari's technical director Ross Brawn to perform his job as well as ever at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix - despite being 10,000 miles away from the Suzuka circuit.

The futuristic and high-tech nature of modern Formula One motor racing will be demonstrated in a unique new way when Brawn, the boffin behind Michael Schumacher and Ferrari's domination this year, directs his team's operations not from his familiar spot on the pit wall, but from his armchair at home in Surrey.

The big and bespectacled technical director of the scarlet Scuderia has chosen not to make the long 13-hour trip to Japan due to a slipped disc and, instead, will remain in front of his television where he has been equipped with a direct satellite link into the Ferrari communications system at the Japanese Grand Prix.

His every word will boom across two continents and into the ears of his drivers Schumacher and Barrichello as they bring down the curtain on one of the least-glorious Formula One seasons in living memory, but one that will be recalled for its mountain of statistical milestones.

The legend of 'virtual Ross', as they have dubbed him in the Ferrari garage, will merely add gloss to the year the Maranello men painted the sport red and the spectators, particularly in the second half of the season, departed in droves.

"You know, when he talks to us, it is so clear it sounds as if he is right here at the circuit," said Barrichello. "He was not at Monza on the Friday of the Italian Grand Prix, but it was as if he was there.

"He talked to us both and we could hear him just the same as normal. The technology is incredible for this. He talks to us in the same way.

"I think the 'virtual Ross' will do a good job and I think that 'Baldo' (Luca Baldisseri, Brawn's deputy) will do a brilliant job anyway. He knows everything and he can really enjoy this chance. But I know Ross plans to have one night with us on the phone when he doesn't go to bed!"