Rubens not worried about Ferrari future

Barrichello has brushed off suggestions that he might be out of a drive when his current contract expires at the end of next year.

"I didn't sign the contract at the same time as Michael last time, so it's not an issue," he said. "I'm at peace with my world and with Ferrari."

The Brazilian press has claimed that Ferrari's failure to extend Barrichello's deal at the same time shows that they are not happy with him.

Barrichello argued: "It's not my problem that they've all signed until the end of 2006. It brings stability and I think everyone in Italy feels good because Ferrari will be as competitive as it is now up until the end of 2006. It's not as if my contract runs to the end of this year, it runs to the end of 2004."

Barrichello implied that his position at Ferrari was more secure than that of Eddie Irvine, who drove as Schumacher's team-mate for four years before his contract was not renewed.

"I think I have created something here that Eddie didn't have," Barrichello said. "I have space and respect and the way I test things. I can still improve though. I still have bad days, which Michael doesn't have."