25/01/2007
NEWS STORY
Like Giancarlo Fisichella at Renault, for Rubens Barrichello, 2007 is a make or break year.
Having spent the early part of 2006 getting used to the Honda, and in particular its traction control and brakes, not to mention the Michelin tyres, Barrichello gradually got into a groove regularly scoring points and helping the Japanese team to put its mid-season nightmare behind it.
However, there is no ignoring the fact that not only did he fail to score a podium result, unlike his teammate, who took a famous victory in Hungary, Rubens finished 20 points shy of the Englishman.
Looking ahead to the new season, Rubens is full of confidence, claiming that having used 2006 as a "learning year", he is aiming for better results in 2007.
Having had his first taste of the RA107, the Brazilian was extremely enthusiastic, and already looking forward to Melbourne.
"It was a great feeling," he said of his first run in the new car. It's so different from last year when everything was new to me. This year things are a lot calmer and I was able to jump into the car and have a feeling for it straight away.
"It's been a learning year," he admitted, "although I've done so many years in Formula One. Last year was quite difficult, I had to jump into a car that initially I didn't quite like and I had to change myself into the style of the car. This year's seems a lot smoother, I'm feeling very confident for the season."
Reflecting on the problems that marred his early races with the Japanese team, Barrichello admitted: It was a difficult car for me to drive, what with the brakes and the traction control. I spent all of last year trying to improve that situation.
"We did finally improve it to my liking," he continued, "and I started very much enjoying the car, but it was only in the December tests that I was able to have everything that I had asked for. In the races I struggled with so many small parts that this new car has improved.
"This time is a lot calmer," he said, "I feel the spirit of the team now, now I know everyone's name, I am part of the team, part of the family so I am feeling very good."