JANUARY 21, 2002

Rubens in hot water

BEFORE he damaged his Ferrari in a heavy accident in Valencia last week, Rubens Barrichello gave his first press conference of the year at the annual Marlboro skiing event and immediately fell foul of the Ferrari quote police. When speaking about his role within the team in 2002 Barrichello said: "I know I will get about 30% to 35% of the attention, and that is increasing."

Following the Brazilian's emotional distress at being forced to hand over a hard-earned second place in last year's Austrian Grand Prix he has been increasingly under the eyes and ears of Ferrari for any dissent towards team orders. Barrichello insists that he was not dissenting in his comments, but instead speaking positively about his increasing role in the team, although clearly there remain some fences to mend. Sporting director Jean Todt said: "If Barrichello, as he says, wants more, he should show on the track... what he is capable of."

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