Barrichello: Ferrari's Best Season Ever

Rubens Barrichello hailed Ferrari's 2004 season as the "best-ever" after heading the scarlet Scuderia's eighth one-two of the season at the team's home Italian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Barrichello, who started from pole position, got off to an impressive start on his intermediate tyres before falling back into the clutches of the field.

But the Brazilian recovered and fought his way back through into first place before emerging ahead of teammate Michael Schumacher after his final pitstop and cruising to victory.

"It was a hard decision at the start because the grid was fairly wet and I thought I could open up a gap on the wet tyres," said Barrichello. "It was hard to tell when I should come in because it was a mess on the radio, and I probably stayed out a lap too long.

"But it worked out very well in the end because as it went along and the car got lighter and lighter I got faster and faster and I was able to push hard. I was telling myself 'just push the throttle down and go as fast as you can'. It was a phenomenal feeling, that's why I am so relieved and so delighted.

"When I came out of the final stop and I was ahead I said something in Portuguese that I cannot say here now! I can honestly say from the bottom of my heart that this is Ferrari's best season ever."

Schumacher, settling for second place for the second race in succession, endured a spin on lap one that pushed him down into 15th place before fighting back. But he insisted that he was delighted to have claimed second to round-off a perfect day for Ferrari at Monza.

"I thought I was completely last after the spin because I had to let so many people past," said Schumacher. "It was an interesting race with interesting battles but it was worth it. I did not think it would be possible to get second because it was so close between a number of drivers."