My Teammates are Not Number Two, Says Schuey

World Champion Michael Schumacher has claimed that he has never had any preferential treatment over his past teammates both at Benetton and Ferrari.

Four-time champion Schumacher has been criticised during his Formula One career for having been given priority over his teammates, and some drivers have refused to join Ferrari in the past claiming they were not ready to be number two to the German.

However, Schumacher has denied he has received any preferential treatment in the past, and has showed his support to his current teammate Rubens Barrichello.

"People always put it in a way it is my team and whoever sits next to me is automatically the second driver," said Schumacher. "And neither in Benetton nor in Ferrari is it really true. The truth is, luckily I've always been able to be up front. I cannot help myself. If it stays like that what can I do? I don't want to make a slow to change the picture, obviously.

"Rubens is a big fighter .We together have brought Ferrari where it is. Obviously, that is a good level at the moment. We'll be trying to get it to even a higher level.

"But I think it is completely unfair to call him a second driver because he's automatically here. That's not really true. Neither it is on other teams. I've got some statements from other drivers from other teams who don't want to drive for Ferrari, because they don't want to be a No. 2 driver. I don't understand that."

At this year's Austrian Grand Prix, Barrichello was asked by Ferrari to let Schumacher take second place when the German was running third.