Let Us Race Each Other, Says Barrichello

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello is hoping his Ferrari team allow him and teammate Michael Schumacher to race each other in the remaining races of the year.

"Well, I hope so. It's a big wish to be honest," Barrichello, currently second in the Drivers' Championship, said at a press conference today in Belgium. "After all, we are here to race, that's the big thing.

"To win a race when it was easy, it doesn't give you that good a feeling, but I hope so, especially this year, the rhythm on the races has been quite good and I am physically quite a lot better than I was so many years ago, so I wish we could have good races this year."

The Ferrari drivers have dominated the season so far, winning 11 out of 13 races, with Schumacher clinching his fifth driver's crown and the Italian team their fourth consecutive Constructors' Championship.

However, they have been unable to fight against each other during the season due to team orders, and Ferrari boss Jean Todt said this month that they will not allow their drivers to race each other as it would not be good for the team.

"We are not intending to have both drivers fighting against each other if it is not in the interests of the team," he said. "Clearly, it is true that the Championship is not as open as it could be good for the sport but it's happened in the past as well and it would be very presumptuous to suggest that we are still going to win races."

Barrichello, who is aiming to secure the runner-up spot behind his teammate, said that both him and Schumacher will have to do whatever Todt says.

"He is the boss, so we just back off. We will see," said Barrichello.