Rubens blames tyres and TC, but still wants wins

By Phil Huff
March 30 2006

Rubens Barrichello's frustrating start to 2006 is coming to an end, with the Honda Racing F1 driver confident he'll soon start picking up points - and wins!

"I went to Honda because I feel and believe that with this team I can win the title," Rubens told TV Movie. "I still think I can win a race this year."

Barrichello has struggled in the first two events of this season, with the driver claiming to be struggling to adapt to the Honda RA106's systems, as well as the Michelin tyres. Following six years racing with Ferrari, and using Bridgestone tyres, there's a lot to get used to.

"It's true, I find it difficult to get used to Michelin tyres," explained Barrichello to Corriere dello Sport. "This is also the case because we didn't test during the winter in the same hot climate we have experienced in Bahrain and Malaysia. In high temperatures, the Michelin tyres behave very differently from Bridgestone's. But I wouldn't put my bad start down to only the tyres. It's the entire system I need to absorb - the engine, the traction control."

Going further in depth at his own website, the Brazilian added "Technically speaking, I can't step on the brake when I am in the curve. I want to step on the gas all the way and the traction control can't keep up with it. I've been trying to step on the brake and on the gas smoothly which has taken me a lot of time to get used to!

"During the winter tests the level of adherence and aerodynamic balance is bigger, so the wheels block less. The solution is under way and the team has helped me a lot in the sense that they are trying to work my situation out. Things are not as bad as they seem and I am sure I will be able get back on my feet soon enough."

Barrichello enjoys the support of team boss Nick Fry through these difficulties. Talking to The Telegraph, Fry commented "We will get there with Rubens, but it's a bit of a hard slog now. We have to make the car a bit more to Rubens' liking, but he has to adapt his driving style to suit it."