Q&A with Rubens Barrichello

Q: How has the preseason build up been for you?

This is my second year with the team and we are in much better shape than we were this time last year. Everything has been prepared well and the team are doing a really good job getting everything ready in time for Melbourne.

Q: How does the FW33 compare to last year’s car?

I think we are better on performance than last year. The car is a different animal though so there is a different way of treating it, but I quite like it. How much faster it is, is very difficult to know, but the car feels better than last year’s to drive.

Q: What is your opinion about the tyre degradation we are seeing?

It is difficult for everyone but it depends on the balance you have. It gets to a point where tyre performance has completely gone and you can’t bring it back. You have to look after them but even then you wouldn’t realistically be able make them survive a whole race.

Q: What would you consider to be a successful weekend for you in Australia?

There is still a question mark about where we stand I know that we have improved but there are teams either side of us. I know how optimistic I am and I know how much I would love to say that we will do really well, but what I will say is that I want to be in Q3 and to score points, and I think that is achievable.

Q: What are your thoughts on the load on drivers in the cockpit now you have had some time testing both KERS and the moveable rear wing?

Running with both KERS and the rear wing is tough. As soon as you do a lot of running you get used to the situation, but every new track will be a new challenge. Hopefully we will get a little bit more of an explanation as to how the wing will work, as originally it was only to be used at the start and in straight lines to overtake, but now it seems to be engaged at most corners. With KERS you have to look at the steering wheel to save as much as you want and to use it in the right places, so you’re not looking straight ahead all the time. This is one of the things we are taking about with Charlie Whiting and Jean Todt to try to improve.