Ferrari duo share their joy over new deals
Ferrari Formula 1 team mates Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello have spoken of their delight at extending their contracts with the Prancing Horse

Ferrari announced yesterday (Tuesday) that reigning world champion Schumacher will stay with the team until 2004, while Barrichello gets a one-year extension to his contract that was due to expire at the end of this season.
"I have often said before how well I get on here at Ferrari and that, for me, the Scuderia is like a second family," said Michael. "I am very happy to have prolonged my stay by another two years and I hope that this continuation with the team will bring plenty of successes."
Schumacher said that the decision in February by Ferrari's 'dream team' backroom staff was a big factor in his choice to stay at Maranello.
"I had little doubt that I would do it [stay with the team], once Jean Todt, Ross Brawn, Paolo Martinelli and Rory Byrne had extended their contracts. The discussions took place in the same positive atmosphere which has typified our relationship, and we soon reached an agreement," he said.
Barrichello was equally ecstatic with his continued presence in the scarlet squad for 2002, not least after recent speculation that he would lose his drive at the end of the season.
"I'm very pleased," said the Brazilian. "There were a lot of rumours about my contract, but I knew everyone - from the president, Mr Montezemolo, and Jean Todt down - inside the Ferrari family were very relaxed about the situation. I think both sides are happy - both myself and Ferrari."

Grapevine: No World Sports Awards for F1 Drivers
Pollock Plays Down Villeneuve's Back Problems

Latest news
Beating Pro cars at Daytona "cherry on the cake" for GTD-winning Aston team
Beating the GTD Pro entries en-route to winning the Daytona 24 Hours GTD class was "an extra cherry on the cake" for Heart of Racing Aston Martin driver Ian James.
Bertelli investigating more WRC opportunities after Sweden
Lorenzo Bertelli is already working to secure another World Rally Championship outing this year following a planned drive in a rented Toyota GR Yaris at Rally Sweden in February.
Everything we know about the 2023 MotoGP season: Riders, bikes, tracks and more
The 2023 MotoGP season is almost upon us, with one of the biggest shake-ups in the series’ history ahead. Find out all you need to know about calendars, sprint races, teams, bikes and more.
Steiner: Haas F1 2022 rollercoaster better than "just downs" of 2021
Gunther Steiner believes Haas’s “rollercoaster” 2022 Formula 1 campaign took “a lot of energy” out of the team, but felt grateful for the highs after “just downs” the previous year.
Who were the fastest drivers in F1 2022?
Who was the fastest driver in 2022? Everyone has an opinion, but what does the stopwatch say? Obviously, differing car performance has an effect on ultimate laptime – but it’s the relative speed of each car/driver package that’s fascinating and enlightening says ALEX KALINAUCKAS
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
The potential-laden F1 car that Ferrari neglected
The late Mauro Forghieri played a key role in Ferrari’s mid-1960s turnaround, says STUART CODLING, and his pretty, intricate 1512 was among the most evocative cars of the 1.5-litre era. But a victim of priorities as Formula 1 was deemed less lucrative than success in sportscars, its true potential was never seen in period
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? LUKE SMITH asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1
OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans
How can McLaren keep hold of Norris?
Lando Norris is no longer the young cheeky-chappy at McLaren; he’s now the established ace. And F1's big guns will come calling if the team can’t give him a competitive car. Here's what the team needs to do to retain its prize asset
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.