Barrichello: Ferrari can Dominate Malaysia

Formula One champions Ferrari can be just as strong in Malaysia as they were in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, according to Rubens Barrichello.

The Brazilian driver, runner-up to teammate Michael Schumacher in Melbourne last weekend, gave little comfort to his rivals after testing tyres in Spain for next week's second round of the championship.

"I know other teams and some people in the media are hoping that we will not go as well in Malaysia as we did in Australia," he told the Autosport website. "But I am afraid I am just going to have to disappoint them."

Ferrari were dominant in Australia, with Schumacher leading untroubled from pole position.

However, the German suggested that Malaysia, a circuit whose hot conditions have favoured McLaren and Williams in the last two years, could be far more of a test of Ferrari's form.

"If we can compete there then we are going to be looking very strong," said six-times champion Schumacher in Australia. "If we are sort of hanging behind then maybe it's going to be a little bit more tough."

Williams, McLaren and Renault use Michelin tyres which last year performed better in hot conditions than Ferrari's Bridgestone brand. However, Barrichello said he was confident the Japanese manufacturer had found a good tyre for Sepang.

"It has been a good test and we really know exactly what tyre we are going to choose for Malaysia," he said. "We have got a very good compound and I think it is going to be very strong for us."