Barrichello Keeps the Faith

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello has not lost hope of becoming Formula One's World Champion, despite the difficulties of driving alongside Michael Schumacher at Ferrari.

"I want to be a champion and I feel I can be," Barrichello told The Sunday Mirror. "People ask how I can be a champion with Michael here. They say it's a dream that will never come true. But I have to believe it will.

"It's not easy to be the No. 2 to the best driver of all time. Michael is a super driver. He drives flat out all the time. But I have a big ambition and I feel I am going to get where I want. I don't know whether it will be next season, but I have wins inside me and I can improve.

"It's quite tough for me to be against Michael because the whole team is around him. I recognise that. I just have to be very tough mentally and know when the time for me has arrived."

Barrichello, who finished the 2001 season third in the World Drivers Championship standings, behind McLaren driver David Coulthard, also paid tribute to the Scotsman's efforts.

"He is a good driver and he is almost there all the time," the Brazilian told the newspaper. "He had a good start to the season, then all of a sudden he dropped right back. But we all need to have some luck."