The first official engagement for the Ferrari drivers ahead of Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix was the usual press conference organised by Bridgestone at the Hotel Transamerica.

The Maranello outfit were represented by Barrichello and Massa. Also present were Eugenio Deliberato, President and Director General of Bridgestone Firestone Brazil and the Director of Bridgestone Motorsport, Hiroshi Yasukawa.

The Brazilian journalists present immediately enquired as to Barrichello's opinion of the F1 rule changes. 'I don't have anything to complain about. The last two races were quite intense; we could maybe have achieved more but everyone I have spoken to has told me that they liked the new format,' replied the Ferrari man. 'For the drivers there have been lots of changes, above all the fact that we cannot go flat out during qualifying as the fuel level is now related to the overall race strategy.'

In 1973, 1983, and 1993, the Brazilian Grand Prix was won by a Brazilian driver. Will 2003 be Barrichello's turn? 'Perhaps it's just coincidence, but in life you have to take everything positive and use it fully. So, if the statistics are exact, I will work hard to maintain them this year' - reflected Rubens - 'The desire to win here in Brazil is stronger than anything else. Winning on this circuit would be as great as winning the Championship. In San Paolo I am at home. I like the public and I enjoy racing on this track like a true Brazilian. I have worked hard and hope that this will be my best weekend.'

Emerson Fittipaldi, the Brazilian two-time Formula 1 World Champion, has said that this will be Barrichello's year. What does Rubens think? 'I feel honoured. At the start of the year, I myself said that I had everything in place for this to be my best season. I feel calm and determined; ready to give my all because this for me is a year to remember.

The local press have obviously neglected Felipe Massa, the young Brazilian driver who, this year, became a test driver for the Maranello Scuderia. To those who did pose him questions, Massa stated that he was happy, above all for the opportunity he had to learn. ‘I work a lot on the development of the car, the electrics and the tyres. This is important not only for the team, but also for me, and it will be even more important for my future’, stated the Sao Paolo born Massa. ‘I gain more experience each day’. Massa also reflected on his relationship with the team he raced for last year, Sauber, in his debut in Formula 1. ‘My contract is with Ferrari but I will be available for Sauber whenever it is necessary.’