Barrichello plays down back injury

According to the Brazilian, the injury was enough for him to adjust his training schedule.

"It is nothing serious, but I chose to come here to have some treatment," said Barrichello. "I had an inflamed nerve in my back, but it is much better now and I am confident that I will be 100% fit by Melbourne. I have had treatment and also I had to change my training routine slightly, doing more swimming than usual."

Barrichello claims that he is not concerned about his lack of track time, despite the fact that team-mate and world champion Michael Schumacher has set blisteringly quick lap times in the new car.

"I will have the opportunity to try it before we use it at the grands prix," he said. "The new car certainly looks quick and I have spoken to Michael to get his impressions of it. From its performance when it ran at Imola we can be optimistic about it, but we have to keep our feet on the ground and just get on with our work."

Barrichello's only major concern for Australia is the compulsory use of the HANS (Head And Neck Support) system, and the Brazilian has joined the ranks of F1 drivers who are finding it too painful to use effectively.

"At the moment, when I am in the car, I am unable to concentrate fully on driving as during the two months we have tried it, the system is really painful," said Barrichello. "I have tried all sorts of modifications to the system but so far, I cannot get it right and comfortable.

"I am all in favour of continuous work to improve safety for the drivers, but I think it should be a matter of personal choice as to whether or not a driver uses HANS. I am concerned that in an impact it will hurt even more. On the bumpy circuits there will be a lot of problems. In Imola, the HANS was hurting my neck so much that I almost forgot the pain in my back because of it."