Barrichello challenges Schumacher at Ferrari launch
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Updated: 2002-02-07 10:05

German Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher (R) smiles as he thumbs-up together with his Brazilian team mate Rubens Barrichello during the presentation of the new Ferrari F1 Car F-2002 at Ferrari's headquarter in Maranello February 6, 2002. [Reuters] German Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher (L) smiles with his Brazilian team mate Rubens Barrichello sitting on the front wheel of the new Ferrari F1 Car F-2002 during the official presentation at Ferrari's headquarter in Maranello February 6, 2002. [Reuters]

World champion Formula One stable Ferrari on Wednesday launched their new F2002 car in the slick manner to be expected of the big-money sport.

But while team directors, technicians and world champion driver Michael Schumacher stuck to the script the Italian stable was one big happy family one man decided to hijack the event and go off-message.

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello's speech to the assembled gathering of sponsors, dignitaries, journalists and team members was only one sentence long but it said it all.

With an emphasis on the word 'I' while all other speakers said 'we' the Brazilian said^Barrichello's vow that he would deliver the drivers' as well as the constructors' crown was short but sweet and unlike most other speakers - unscripted.

But later speaking to journalists he made it clear that after two seasons in which he has won only one Grand Prix while Schumacher has won two drivers' titles he was fed up at playing second fiddle.

"I expect to be a stone in Michael's shoe," said the Latin American who last month claimed he could compete with four-times world champion Schumacher should the team give him the same attention as the German.

Barrichello's bravado briefly took attention away from the car which after all was meant to be the star of the show.

A new gearbox, improved transmission and a chassis with what could be euphemistically termed a tight-rear end are the main innovations although Ferrari purists may be perturbed at the increasing presence of the colour white in the livery of the stable which is traditionally all red.

Schumacher, who referred to Ferrari as his family and even for once spoke in Italian - albeit scripted, did have one little jibe at Barrichello when he pointed out that of the three crashes in testing two had been when the Brazilian had been at the wheel although he admitted driver error was to blame for his prang.

Schumacher and Barrichello put aside any differences to join in praise of the team's decision to redesign what after all was a winning F2001 model.

"When you see radical change it makes you feel good," said Schumacher. "It gives you a lot of confidence."

Barrichello concurred, saying: "The guys did a fantastic job - it takes courage to change things because when you are winning you tend to be conservative."

The team's British technical director Ross Brawn revealed that the decision whether to go with the F2002 or stick with the F2001 for the season-opener in Melbourne, Australia would depend on testing.

"Our options are open - we don't have a lot of time. If we have two weeks of testing with no major problems we will go with the F2002. If not we will stick with the old."

He even hinted at possibly using both cars in Australia, saying^The managing director for sporting activities Jean Todt refused to make predictions about the performance of the F2002.

"It looks good, let's just hope that it goes quickly," said the Frenchman. "We are certainly happy with the results so far."