Such was the media interest in talking to Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello this afternoon, that the interviews had to take place in the pit lane; the only space large enough to accommodate everyone.

Looking fit and tanned, Barrichello explained he had spent a few relaxing days in Florida, prior to arriving in Montreal last night. 'We took my son to Disney World, which was great fun,' said the Brazilian. But the press was mainly interested in Barrichello’s reaction to the news that his team-mate and several key personnel have all signed contracts with the Scuderia to the end of 2006. 'I know what you are thinking, but I am not concerned by the fact I have not yet signed a new contract,' said Rubens with a smile. 'I have always done my contracts at a different time to the rest. I am completely calm about it and I still have a year and a half of my current contract to run. There is no need to hurry. It is natural in a way that Michael and the others have all signed together, as they were the men who all started at Ferrari together and have done this fantastic job. The stability will be a good thing for the team and everyone at the factory will be more relaxed and that is good for me too. Right now I am at peace with myself and with Ferrari.'

On the subject of what he might do after his current contract expires, Barrichello was clear that he too would like to be part of this stability. 'I want to win races and so that is why I would like to stay with Ferrari,' affirmed the Brazilian. 'Ferrari offers me a better chance of winning races than any other team.'

As for the Canadian Grand Prix, Rubens is glad to be Montreal. 'I have come very close to winning here in the past and I really think I can have a good weekend,' he said. 'After a bad weekend in Monaco, it is fantastic to be here and the work we did in testing last week, in terms of tyres for this race, gives me cause to be confident. As for the championship fight, it is harder to make up a points gap with this year’s new scoring system, but we will just have to see how things develop.'