Ferrari new boy Rubens Barrichello says he won't play second fiddle to Michael Schumacher. The defiant Brazilian points out that his contract gives him the freedom to compete just as hard as his teammate and, unlike Eddie Irvine, will not have to move over to let the German through. "There is nothing in my contract which says I have to let Michael pass", he said. Some in F1 feel Barrichello signed a suicide note by moving to Ferrari and will find it almost impossible to emerge from Schumacher's shadow.
He has proved quick but has also shown to be weak under pressure, struggling against Irvine in their final year at Jordan and getting flustered last year when Johnny Herbert started beating him at Stewart. To add to his worries, Schumacher hinted their equal footing won't last long. "I reckon him quite fast," but added he was confident the situation at Ferrari was the same as last year. "You can't make somebody slower by contract, whoever is faster is going to be the No.1 driver. It's as simple as that", the former World Champion added. Barrichello, the first Brazilian to drive for the famous Italian giant, acknowledged his role could develop into an Irvine situation as the season wears on. "I could have the same role as Eddie but much depends on me. I feel I have as much of a chance to win as Michael," Rubens added.
