Barrichello Says He is Getting Better with Age

Rubens Barrichello is keeping his voice down but his Formula One ambitions are as high as ever as he prepares for another year alongside Michael Schumacher at Ferrari.

The Brazilian's confident pre-season declarations have come back to haunt him in the past, promising to emerge as the Italian team's number one driver only to be ordered to move aside for World Champion Schumacher.

With his German teammate now aiming for a record sixth title after rewriting the record books last year, Barrichello sounded a cautious note at the launch of Ferrari's new F2003-GA challenger on Friday.

Asked if he was confident of his chances, Barrichello replied: "Yes. But of course if I say this now then it is going to be in the papers that I want to win the title.

"In a way I have never been as good as I am now. Every day has been better with time. I am getting older but happier and not slower. I am just driving better without putting in too much, but I am driving quicker and (testing in) Barcelona was fantastic. We had fantastic times with the new tyres," said Barrichello.

"So yes, I am looking for the title - in a way.

"We have to see how the season goes though. People will say that the number two can never win. But I look at myself in the mirror and I am a happy person. If I had a problem in the past I overcame that problem."

Schumacher won 11 of the 17 races last season with Barrichello taking another four amid controversy as he moved over for Schumacher in Austria.

Barrichello spoke appreciatively of his teammate, who he said taught him the need to focus exclusively on his own performance, and saw no signs of Schumacher losing his motivation or his speed.

"He's still on top of himself. In testing we have been close but I didn't see Michael getting any slower," he said. "I have got to fight for the win and see what comes out.

"In my first two years at Ferrari there were things that I needed to improve and there were things that I improved because of Michael, by learning from him and the team," he said.

"I had always looked to the mechanics, looking to the car and to win but he was even better at looking for the things that he needed."