Q:
Rubens [Barrichello], again, how important is it going to be to
have your new car at the next race?
Rubens Barrichello: I still think the old car is quite
competitive. If you take pure performance, taking into account all
the fuel and everything, we are still on top. It seems that the
car is quite fast. The new rules have brought new excitement into
Formula One and as you saw, in Malaysia on the first lap, with Michael
[Schumacher] touching [Jarno] Trulli, there was a bit of a mix-up
with cars in front and some of the cars going to the back. But I
suspect the car is quite competitive. I did test the new car last
week and I'm thrilled that it is faster than the old one. I think
it's quite reliable as well, in that I ran the whole day in Barcelona
with no problems, and Michael ran two days afterwards in Fiorano.
We're going to do a lot more testing next week and hopefully it's
going to make its debut at Imola. As far as I'm concerned, that's
the aim but to be honest with you, I haven't checked if that's decided.
Q:
What are your feelings about the FIA's new ruling about the HANS
device; are you happier with it now?
RB: I've made a change, I have a similar system to what
McLaren has and it's changed quite a bit. My problem is not just
wearing the HANS; it's the fact that I'm not locked inside the car.
I like to be very very tight inside the car and with the HANS, I
couldn't do that. With double seatbelts, it seems that my problems
are over. Even so I still think that the system should be for people
who want to use it. But I have no problems.
Q:
Does the fact that this is an anti-clockwise circuit affect wearing
the HANS device?
RB: At the beginning, I thought I would have problems touching
the HANS, because I'm a guy who turns into the corner and I move
my neck but it doesn't seem to be a problem. I don't think it will
interfere at the end of the day.
Q:
I don't know if anyone has made you aware of this, but Brazilians
have won this race in '73, '83, and '93...
RB: ...so 2003 is mine. As I said to the Brazilians the
other day, I don't believe in those things and the world of Formula
One made me change to a much more real picture of what it is. I'm
going to be working flat out to really win the race here. I guess
it would be the same feeling as winning the World Championship,
winning my home Grand Prix would be like that. I'm focused, I'm
better than ever and I hope that, together with my team that I can
do the job this time.
Questions
from the floor:
Q:
Rubens [Barrichello], Michael [Schumacher] won the race here last
year but I think the Michelin-Williams combination was a little
bit quicker. Then in Malaysia we saw on the heat durability they
had a bit of an advantage. What are you expecting here, more of
the same or do you think you can win the race?
Rubens Barrichello: Even though, I think we were quite
competitive in Malaysia, even if we see that McLaren were quite
tough to beat. The story could have been different if the start
was different but there are no ifs. I think here we could be a little
bit more competitive than Sunday, just for us.
Q:
Rubens, about HANS, can you explain how the double belt system makes
you more at ease in the car?
RB: Okay. There is a belt that goes underneath and a belt
that goes on the top. So the one that goes underneath is fastening
up just as it used to and the HANS on the top is the one that you
have together with the helmet. It is tight on the top of it but
it is the one you have the system with the helmet. It is... you
have two points from the one underneath on the car and the one on
top of the HANS. Now I have two belts and if I want to feel tight
I can pull them tight.
Q:
Rubens, it has been eight years in a row you have not finished here
now. Does that add to the pressure or do you feel anything is a
bonus?
RB: For most of the time, Brazil has been the first race.
Because it was the first race, when I competed with Jordan and Stewart,
we actually got to the first race without doing a race simulation
so it was tough to finish the race. Then, you know, there has been
some errors on the way and some mistakes but I would say I've been
surprised I haven't finished the race yet with Ferrari here. One
time I will eventually finish and like I said to Brazil, there is
no point me thinking 'because I haven't done so in the past I must
go slow and finish the race for the points.' I am driving for one
of the most competitive teams and I have the chance to go for the
win and I will go for it.
Q:
Rubens, I've got two questions for you. Before the press conference
started you were standing in the middle of your two Brazilian fellows;
would it be good if you could do that at the end of the race?
RB: It would be like a dream wouldn't it. It would be like
Guns n' Roses, we'd jump off the podium into the middle of the people.
Q:
Okay, the second. Michael was enjoying playing the soccer yesterday.
Why didn't you?
RB: I didn't join in because... did you see the guy go
between the middle of his legs. I didn't want to do that. In Brazil
there is talk now that he is not a good soccer player.
Q:
How much did you pay the guy to do that?
RB: That's a secret! No, I would love to go there but people
have to understand that for me it is quite a busy week and I have
to do all sorts of things for sponsors and I didn't have the time
to go there and play with them. I would love to. Even though I am
a Corinthians fan, the Santos are okay.
Q:
A question for Rubens and Kimi. Are you happy with the decision
to keep traction control until the end of the season?
RB: I don't mind actually. I'm a guy who likes the car
to slide even though my driving style is not sideways. I like to
control the car myself. So I thought there was a little bit... you
know beginning to do too many things in one... just no traction
control in the middle of the way, I think that was in too much of
a hurry. We are going to finish this season and start the new season
in a better way when everyone is prepared. We have only one wet
tyre and if we get a situation like in Silverstone when it is raining
and nobody is prepared without traction control and it could be
a little bit dangerous.
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