Barrichello targets bronze medal spot

The Brazilian believes that overhauling the Scot's nine-point lead is not beyond him - but nothing less than victory in Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix will do.

"We have been fighting for the whole championship and I am very motivated," he said in Sepang. "I feel that I have had a good season with Ferrari and I have realised that it has taken me four or five races to settle in and make people believe in what I can do.

"Third place is still wide open, but I know it will be difficult. I have to win and David has to finish outside the top six."

Barrichello said he was pleased with what he has achieved this year.

"Now I am going for third in the championship and I have won a race and a pole position."

"The good thing is that I feel optimistic," he added. "In the past people would say Rubens will be good here but not so good there. Now I have a really good car and a good engine and have shown what I can do.

"My main target this year was to be Michael's hardest team mate that he has ever had and I think that I have done that."

Barrichello is fourth in the standings with 58 points and McLaren driver Coulthard is third on 67. Even if Barrichello wins, one point will secure the Scot third place because the McLaren driver has won three races and the Brazilian just one.