'Extreme' Strategy Doesn't Pay for Barrichello

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn admitted he took a big chance with the three-stop strategy he dreamed up for Rubens Barrichello at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Barrichello was left to finish fifth with his hopes of securing second in the Championship in tatters as the "extreme" strategy failed to get him above Williams duo Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher.

"We took a big chance with Rubens' three-stop strategy because we thought we would be stuck behind the Williams," Brawn said. "The only way he was going to finish second in the Championship was to win the race so we chose an extreme strategy."

Brawn said Barrichello's teammate Michael Schumacher did a "great job" in winning the race in Japan and stamping his authority on his fourth-title winning season.

"It's a fantastic end to the season," Brawn added. "It is always a concern when you win a Championship so early but Michael won two more races than he needed in the end and we had nothing to worry about. Michael lives for racing and he did a great job as always."