Runner-Up Spot Not Important, Says Barrichello

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello said he prefers to win more races this season than to finish in the runner-up position behind his teammate Michael Schumacher.

The German Ferrari driver needs only 15 points in the remaining seven races to secure his record-equalling fifth title, and he could even be crowned at next Sunday's French Grand Prix if he wins the race and neither Barrichello or Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya finish in the podium.

Barrichello is currently in second place in the Championship, a massive 54 points behind his Ferrari teammate, but only one ahead of Montoya and two ahead of Ralf Schumacher. However, the Brazilian has claimed that for him is more important to win races than to finish in second in the Championship.

"For me it is more important to win races," Barrichello said. "That pleases me more than the idea of finishing second in the Championship. If you tell yourself that you want to finish second in the series, that is not really good enough, so as an individual I take it race by race and try and win as many as possible. If, at the end, I finish second then that is fine too."

Barrichello has scored one win this year at the European Grand Prix, and he will be looking for his second victory this weekend. Schumacher has admitted that he would prefer to win the title in his home race in Germany at the end of July, but Barrichello has denied the German will not go for it in France.

"People are saying Magny-Cours should be my race because Michael wants to take the title in Germany, but I feel that is complete rubbish," he said. "In Formula One you win when you can. We know from the results of testing that once again we will be competitive this weekend in France.

"From last year, we know that the Michelin tyre used by our rivals will be very competitive there, so we need to look after ourselves over the weekend and wait and see what result we get. We cannot go there thinking about the Championship. We have to concentrate on winning the race."