Barrichello Unsure of Imola Revival

The Brazilian, however, is confident the World Champions will get back to winning ways eventually this year.

"To say that from now to Imola we'll be able to make up ground and be in the fight for victory is premature," Barrichello was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "What I can say is that we have a strong car and that Ferrari know what to do to go back to winning ways."

After a disastrous Malaysian Grand Prix, Ferrari rushed the introduction of their F2005 car in Bahrain, and although in the hands of Michael Schumacher the new machine proved competitive, Ferrari failed to score any points.

Schumacher retired with a mechanical problem while Barrichello struggled with his tyres for the second consecutive race. The Brazilian was also hit by a gearbox problem early on Friday and was unable to do any significant running prior to the race.

He was forced to use Schumacher's set-up in the race, and he believes that was the main reason why his Bridgestone tyres suffered so much.

"That's why the rear tyres degraded in the second half of the race," Barrichello added. "I really hope I won't have to go through a similar experience again. On Friday and Saturday I didn't drive, so I had to learn how to face turn four by following the other drivers' lines in the first ten to fifteen laps.

"That the car was fast we knew already. Now it's a matter of finding the way of making it reliable so that it can get to the end of the race at a good pace."

Barrichello, who posted the fifth fastest time in yesterday's session at Barcelona, believes Ferrari can still fight for the title despite their poor start.

"We are confident. We have to work hard, Renault is strong and Toyota is doing so well. It is possible (to win the title)."