Ferrari still aiming for one-two, says Rubens

The Brazilian had occupied second place on the grid alongside team mate Michael Schumacher but wound up fourth. With just seconds to go, Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard produced two storming laps to push the Brazilian down the pecking order.

"I am still struggling with the car in the low speed areas and with the understeer, but at the end of the day we will still be going for maximum points," said Barrichello, who missed out on a front row position by little more than one hundredth of a second.

"I was disappointed to have finished fourth," he added. "I was looking good for the front row, which would have been great for Ferrari, but we still have the potential to add the constructors' championship to the drivers' title.

"We need to be patient, to get a good start - and I am not worried about that. This is a track that is quite wide and anything can happen."

Barrichello also conceded that McLaren will be a tough team to beat this weekend and his personal challenge of moving up to third in the drivers' championship will be a tall order.

"McLaren are certainly at the top of their form again," continued Barrichello, who needs to win at the Sepang circuit and for Scotsman Coulthard to finish outside the points if he is to move up the table. "Their late laps in qualifying were very impressive and I know that they will be fast on Sunday, but anything can happen."