Barrichello lowers handicap and is ready to race!

“I’ve had a good time and enjoyed a complete rest,” said the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver. “I played a lot of golf at home; in fact since the start of the year my handicap has gone down from 26 to 19. That means, from being very bad at golf, I am now just bad! Other than that, I have had a quiet time and I also enjoyed my first Fathers’ Day as a father rather than just a son.”

But the relaxation was not too relaxed as the Brazilian continued to keep himself in top shape as he made good use of the Brazilian heat to take on some physical training and after a nagging back after the German GP he also took time out to receive some physiotherapy and is now feeling in top condition.

“It has been getting very hot in Brazil now and I made the most of the weather to do a lot of physical training in the warm conditions,” revealed the Brazilian. “I also had some physiotherapy treatment on my back, which was bothering me after the German Grand Prix, so I am now in top shape.”

With just five races to run in the 2002 season Barrichello is currently in fourth place in the drivers title but only 5 points behind second placed man Montoya. And it is these five races that are the focus of Barrichello’s attention. Barrichello welcomed the 3 week break but admits to missing the driving and is ready to push hard from the minute the pit lane opens once more on Friday.

“I am looking forward to this weekend in Budapest,” he said. “The three week break in the season is a very good idea, especially for the mechanics and engineers, who get so little time to rest and see their families, but I have to say I have missed driving a racing car. At our level of driving, even after three weeks, there is no sense of having to get used to the job again, so I will pushing hard as soon as I get in the cockpit on Friday morning. It will all feel very natural. However, the Hungarian track is always very dirty on the first day, so some caution is required.”

It will be a very interesting race in Hungary according to Barrichello. Car balance is crucial he feels to be successful here and qualifying well is high on his wish list. Rubens will be hoping that the bad luck is now firmly behind him and he can begin to reel in Montoya and secure that second place which he richly deserves.