Rubens Barrichello is convinced he is creeping closer to all-conquering Ferrari team-mate Michael Schumacher. Barrichello was over 17 seconds behind Schumacher in yesterday's European Grand Prix, but the eight points he earned at the Nurburgring leaves him only 14 adrift of the six-time world champion in the title race.
The Brazilian feels he is gradually eating into Schumacher's on-track advantage and believes his willingness to experiment with strategy could be the key to ending his team-mate's stranglehold on Formula One.
Barrichello, who has yet to win a race this season, said: "Looking back now I had the pace to fight with Michael even over the qualifying lap, but just before qualifying we thought Michael was a little faster. To be second on the grid and on the same strategy would have been bad – you have to play a little bit with luck. Another choice was put to me and I liked it."
"It worked out in a way which was good enough to pass almost everyone but not Michael. It was good, to start seventh and finish second, but not good enough for first place."
Last season Schumacher suffered due to the recently-introduced points system, which by offering 10 for a win and eight for second, rewards consistency. Schumacher only won the title by a point from Kimi Raikkonen despite the McLaren man winning just one race to the German's six.
Barrichello is following Raikkonen's example by clinging on to Schumacher with seven consecutive points finishes this season, five of them podiums. That consistency means Barrichello could, should circumstances go in his favour, leapfrog Schumacher in the championship within two races, despite the world champion winning six of the first seven grands prix in 2004.
Filed by Barry J Whyte
