Barrichello Hoping for Third Time Lucky

Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello believes he could have won the last two Formula One races and hopes to be third time lucky at Sunday's season-ending Japanese Grand Prix.

"The last two races were very, very good for me. If it wasn't for minor problems I think I could have won both actually," the Brazilian told a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday before travelling to Suzuka.

"I'll be trying my best to win the race. That's what I have to do. Whatever the other competitors do is another story but I have to do the best to try and win."

Barrichello has been freed up to win races by Ferrari since they and his team mate Michael Schumacher won the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships in August. The Brazilian is currently third in the overall standings, seven points behind Briton David Coulthard, and must win on Sunday to have a chance of wresting the runner-up slot from his McLaren rival.

Barrichello finished second in Italy after a longer than expected pitstop and suffered a blown engine late in the last race in Indianapolis after running second and closing on eventual winner Mika Hakkinen.