Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello has predicted that his team will be just as strong at the Malaysian Grand Prix next weekend as they were in Australia.

Barrichello has dismissed claims that Ferrari's tyres will not be suited to the heat at Malaysia's Sepang track.

"I know other teams are hoping that we will not go as well in Malaysia as we did in Australia," the Brazilian told Autosport magazine's website.

"But I am afraid I am just going to have to disappoint them."

Barrichello was only the third quickest driver at this week's Valencia test, behind McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa and Williams reserve driver Marc Gene.

But Barrichello spent the test evaluating the tyres Ferrari will use in Malaysia and said he felt confident about the work he had done.

Ferrari have struggled in Malaysia over the last two years.

That is partly because their tyre supplier Bridgestone has coped less well with the tropical temperatures than rival Michelin, which supplies Williams, McLaren and Renault.

But Barrichello said: "It has been a good test and we really know exactly what tyre we are going to choose for Malaysia.

"We have got a very good compound, and I think it is going to be very strong for us."

Melbourne winner Michael Schumacher suggested that Malaysia would be far more of a test of Ferrari's form.

"If we can compete there then we are going to be looking very strong," Schumacher said after his victory.

"If we are sort of hanging behind then maybe it's going to be a little bit more tough."