Thursday June 15th, 2000

After four months in the shadow of German Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, Rubens Barrichello admitted on Thursday that he must step up a gear to justify his place in the Italian team.

While Schumacher leads the championship with four wins from seven races, the Brazilian said he was coming to terms with life at Ferrari after collecting just 22 points so far this year.

"Being Michael's teammate is not an easy job and I'm still learning my way inside the team," Barrichello said.

"I was very disappointed not to finish at Silverstone and in Brazil but overall I feel my start with Ferrari has been positive."

Barrichello left Stewart after seven top five finishes in 1999 and replaced Eddie Irvine, who also found it difficult to be the number two driver to team leader Schumacher.

"I have seven years of experience in Formula One and I sometimes make the wrong decisions," Barrichello said.

"There are times when I go with what the team has suggested and there are so many things you can change.

"There are things you can do with a top team that are impossible with a smaller team and it's great to be with a leading team."

He said he wanted to give his season a boost with a good result in Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix after his second place in Monaco two weeks ago.

"I have only been with the team for four months and I need to get in more and more miles to get more experienced," Barrichello, 28, said.

"I've done two days of testing in Monza and one at Fiorano and the car seems well-balanced. I'm quite pleased with the low downforce and am optimistic for the race."