Barrichello on The Season So Far
20.3.01

After the Malaysian GP, Rubens Barrichello gave his refections of how it's been going so far this season:

Q: You have had a strong start to the season with two second places from two races. What are your impressions of the F2001?
" We have a fantastic car. It has not only proved to be a very fast car, but also it responds very well to adjustments. In Malaysia it also showed that it is a very strong car. I have never spun as many times in a race in my life and I think I have never spun that many times in my life at all! I must have spun about five times and the car was still perfect, even though some parts were lost during those spins."

Q: Given the way you have performed in the first two races, do you think you can win more races this season than the single victory you took last year?
" I would think so, because this year, I am much closer to Michael's performance level than in 2000. I know the team better after one year working with them adapting to the team. I feel extremely motivated and at the top of my game and the difference is that I am now consistently very close to Michael, while in the past that was not always the case. I am pretty much on his pace."

Q: Are you worried that the balance of the relationship between you and your team-mate might change, if you are pushing him harder?
" I would hope that does not happen. So far our partnership is working well and we are doing okay as team-mates. I think that pushing each other and having a healthy rivalry is a good thing for the team."

Q: Looking at the first two races, McLaren seem to be a bit off your pace and some of the other teams are catching up. Who do you see as your main rivals this year?
" On the strength of the races in Melbourne and Sepang, you have to say that Williams is becoming extremely competitive. But you must never rule out McLaren, because they have all the necessary resources to respond. If you look at the Malaysian race for example, Mika Hakkinen still set the fastest race lap. We cannot ignore them and they could be back in the game as soon as we get back on the European circuits. The fact that they are on the same Bridgestone tyres as us means we will be able to accurately compare our performance."

Q: What are you going to do between now and the next race, which is your home grand prix in Brazil?
" I am going to go straight back to Brazil from Malaysia. I plan to relax and get ready for my home race, which is by far the race I look forward to driving in the most. That has been the case ever since I started in Formula 1. I hope there will be as big a crowd as we saw last year. I will be fighting for the victory. Our car is certainly good enough for me to achieve it. I am very excited about it."

Q: While you are in Brazil, Luca Badoer and Michael Schumacher will be back in Europe testing. How do you keep up to date with the work they are doing so that you know what changes have been made to the car?
" I am in constant contact with the factory on a daily basis by phone. I speak to many people: to Ross Brawn and to Jean Todt and my race engineer. I have many sources I can speak with to find out what has been happening. In any case, there is a set procedure whereby team personnel make sure I know exactly what development work has been done, whenever it is my turn to miss out a test session."

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