In order to keep both Barrichello and BAT happy, however, the squad will have to overcome the Brazilian's lack of good fortune at his home event.
“My home race in Brazil is very special to me and always gives me a little bit of extra motivation," Barrichello admits, "I was born very close to Interlagos and, whenever I dream about racing, it’s always around this track.
"The first race that I saw there as a spectator was in 1980, when Rene Arnoux beat Elio de Angelis, and I’ve wanted to win it ever since. It is frustrating that I’ve never won at home, especially as I should have won in 2003, when was a problem with the fuel. I had such a robust car that year, yet it decided to let me down in my home race! The race weekend itself always goes by so fast, because it is really hectic, but it’s still one of the most enjoyable weekends of the year for me.”
Honda's upswing in recent races - including a scoring finish in every race since Germany - is underlined by Barrichello's team-mate,
Jenson Button, who has scored more points than any driver since his first victory in Hungary in August.
“It’s great to be heading into the final race of the season with a run of solid points finishes under our belts - it really goes to show just how much progress we’ve made in the second half of the season," the Briton says, "I know no-one is thinking too much about 2007 yet, but it’s always important to end the season on a high note as it’s a great motivator as the team prepares for next year’s campaign.
"I think we can expect the same level of performance in Brazil that we have enjoyed in the past few races. The engine was looking strong in Japan and I think the car will be well suited to this track. It should be a great climax to the season.”
Red Bull Racing – David Coulthard (#14), Robert Doornbos (#15):
Brazil promises to be another tough weekend for the Red Bull Racing squad, as David Coulthard and Robert Doornbos continue to run the 'under-deveoped' - if the Scot is to be believed - RB2.
