Barrichello Enjoys Trip Down Memory Lane

Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello enjoyed a trip down memory lane during first free practice for the German Grand Prix on Friday, kick-starting memories of his emotional victory at Hockenheim last year.

"The first lap today reminded me of the last lap last year. It was such a good feeling, fantastic just to remember," the Brazilian told a news conference. The 29-year old wept openly on the podium at the German circuit last year after he started in 18th place and finished with his first win in 124 races.

Barrichello had the fastest time in first free practice on Friday but a hydraulic problem in the afternoon left him fourth overall. Ferrari teammate and three-time World Champion Michael Schumacher, who has a 37-point Championship lead over David Coulthard, came in fifth with Jaguar's Eddie Irvine first.

Barrichello, who let Schumacher take second place at the Austrian Grand Prix this year, said he would not be looking for the German to return the favour.

"I don't expect anything from him. We are both working hard for Ferrari," he said, adding that rumours of problems between the two of them were untrue."I even read in the Italian press that there is a crisis between me and the team. It is absolutely not true, they don't know what they are saying."

At Hockenheim, Schumacher is seeking to match the record of French four times champion Alain Prost and secure a 51st career victory. But Barrichello said McLaren and Williams would provide tough competition.

"They will both be hard to beat but I think Williams will be stronger in the race than McLaren. It will be important for us to start out in front of Williams because they have more speed along the straights."