Barrichello expects 'aggressive' design

It was recently announced that the veteran Brazilian would stay with Williams for a second year, and Barrichello is optimistic about what he has seen of next season's car so far.

"I feel good. I feel that the team is doing a good job on what they're doing for next year," he said.

"It's an aggressive style - the approach for next year's car seems to be quite aggressive, which is good. I'm up for it, I like it."

But asked if he was feeling confident about Williams gaining ground in 2011, Barrichello replied: "We can never say that, because if you talked to every team right now they would sell you a winning car for next year.

"It's a bit on the fantasy side right now. Some [new cars] are going better, some are going even better.

"But ours in the tunnel seems to be going okay. We just need to keep our feet on the ground and work with it."

Barrichello added that he was very satisfied with the progress Williams had made during 2010. Although the team did not manage to get back onto the podium and was only sixth in the constructors' championship, Barrichello felt Williams' performance strides were greater than the results suggested.

"I think the turnaround was after Istanbul, where we sort of got to the bottom of the problem," he said.

"There was a change in the characteristic of the downforce coming onto the car, so we had to change the windtunnel for that, and it made it better. After that it was an improvement all the way through - bang, bang, bang.

"Even though it has been very down in terms of results the whole year long, the team conquered a lot and progressed. We overperformed in qualifying a little bit on new tyres, but we still had pretty decent races."