Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Pleased Barrichello Confident for the Race

Rubens Barrichello is confident of scoring his second win of the season after seizing pole position from Michael Schumacher on Saturday as Ferrari swept the front row of the grid for Sunday's Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix.

Rubens Barrichello is confident of scoring his second win of the season after seizing pole position from Michael Schumacher on Saturday as Ferrari swept the front row of the grid for Sunday's Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix.

The Italian team were in a class of their own in qualifying, after regularly lapping more than a second faster than their rivals in practice on what could be a historic weekend at the Hungaroring. Ferrari need only maintain the current 65 point gap between them and Williams to clinch a record 12th Constructors' Championship and fourth in a row.

Schumacher, aiming to become the first driver to win 10 times in a season after taking a record-equalling fifth title in July, had hoped for pole at a circuit where it is notoriously difficult to overtake.

He was fastest halfway through the session but Barrichello, fired up after his first run was aborted when the Renault of Jenson Button spun off in front of him, squeezed a few more fractions out of his car.

The pole, in 1:13.333, was Barrichello's third of the season and sixth of his career. He beat Schumacher by a mere 0.059. It was also Ferrari's seventh pole in 13 races and fourth front row sweep of the season.

"It looked good, very good," said the Brazilian, who took pole without actually being fastest in any of the sectors of the circuit and is aiming to recover second place in the Championship on Sunday. "I lost my first run because of the spin and it was actually very close.

"I saw two cars going to the right and I thought they were there to let me by. And all of a sudden I saw the smoke and braked and saw Button spinning out. Starting from pole, I have the best chance as the track is cleanest on that side."

Schumacher, who led Barrichello to a one-two in Hungary last year to secure his fourth title, will start on the 'dirty' side of the track off the racing line.

"It certainly doesn't help," he said. "I have to find out. We have to look to not drop back any position."

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Fisichella's confidence rewarded
Next article Fisichella Optimistic of Points Finish

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe