Rubens Barrichello has gone through a lot in his career. At first he was called the next Ayrton Senna but the high expectations vanished when the results didn't come. Now, with the switch from Jordan to the new team Stewart, Barrichello is rising again.
He said:"I have been through a lot in my career already. I was very young when I started and then I had my crash at Imola, in 1994, and the death of Ayrton...I was not really ready for it all. But now, I am much tougher mentally. More like a European, if you like. Less emotional. And I feel I am stronger altogether. Changing teams to Stewart has been good for me too and I feel I am starting out afresh. It is a good feeling."
Barrichello showed in the last race that things are looking better for him, although he was unable to finish the race: "It was disappointing for us all, but I was glad to show what the team could do. When we have reliability I think we can score points regularly," said Barrichello. "That is a realistic prospect for us."
The Brazilian is looking forward to his home Grand Prix next weekend: "I know I cannot win this race, not yet anyway," he said. "But I feel that it is possible in the future. My fans want to see something from me in Brazil. But I think they know that the Stewart car is not yet ready to win races. They have to be patient for me and wait and see."
Barrichello admitted that there was a lot of pressure on him after Ayrton Senna died and people said that he was not doing well: "It was not a bad year for me at all. I know what some people have said and thought, but it is not true. I was driving well in a very difficult car and I was doing my best. But this move to Stewart came at the right time and I feel ready for the challenge."
Gehard Berger's wife is expecting their third child this week. The birth of their baby daughter is calculated to be 03-26.
The reason why Michael Schumacher is not that McLaren-Mercedes didn't want him but because Schumacher wanted to continue driving for Ferrari. This was said by Mercedes sporting director Norbert Haug.
The Ferrari team will use the 96 engine during the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend. Schumacher said this decision was based upon the track characteristics and reliability of the engine.
It is expected the new engine will not be ready before the first Grand Prix in Europe.