Barrichello: 'I feel like I'm Ferrari's future'

Schumacher, who took Ferrari's first drivers' title in 21 years last season, has a contract that runs until the end of 2002, but Barrichello believes he has done enough in his first season at Maranello to take over the mantle of team-leader if the German decides to hang up his helmet after that.

Schumacher, who would be nearly 34 years old and a veteran of 11 full seasons of Grand Prix racing at the end of 2002, recently stated he would end his career at Ferrari and has hinted that retirement is an option when his contract expires. Barrichello is still only 26, having started his F1 career aged only 20.

"I'm a happy person at Ferrari," said the Brazilian, who won the German Grand Prix en route to fourth in the final standings. "My contract finishes at the end of 2001 with an option for 2002. We are not talking yet, but we had a wonderful season together and they [Ferrari] said that I have done more than they expected of me. I feel like Michael [Schumacher] is the present and I am the future."

Speaking to Autosport.com during Valencia testing, Barrichello also gave a thumbs-up to F1's latest 'wunderkind', the 21-year-old Kimi Raikkonen, who will race for the Ferrari-engined Sauber team next year.

"If you have the talent, then it doesn't matter what age you are," he said. "The consequences of him making a mistake in F1, rather than the racing that he has done in the past, are bigger. When you're young, you make mistakes and in F1 everyone is watching. If he is aware of that and he doesn't put pressure on himself, then he'll probably do well because he really seems like he has the talent."

For full Q&A with Rubens Barrichello click HERE.