Sept 27: Ferrari will not fix the result of this Sunday's American Grand Prix, according to number one driver Michael Schumacher.

The Italian team have planned the results of a number of races this season, first to help Schumacher win the title and then to secure second place for Rubens Barrichello. The most recent example was in Italy two weeks ago, when Schumacher eased off to allow the Brazilian to win.

Barrichello is not yet mathematically secure in second place, but he only needs a fourth place to ensure he is far enough ahead not to be caught. And Schumacher said that Sunday's race would see an open battle between himself and Barrichello.

"Even if I win, he would win his second position (in the championship), so that means it is a free battle for the last two races, which I'm looking forward to," said Schumacher.

He added that Barrichello, who replaced Irvine at Ferrari at the end of 1999, was the strongest team-mate he had partnered in his career.

"I would think so, yes. I don't think, if you go through history, we have had a situation being so close together, so consistently."
The two men have raced before - but usually that has been when they have faced opposition from other teams.

When they have been comfortable out in front, the team have stopped them racing with only one exception.

That was in Belgium, when Schumacher wanted to underline his superiority over his team-mate on his favourite circuit, Spa-Francorchamps.

Ferrari are on course to emulate McLaren's record 1988 season of 15 victories, needing only to win at Indianapolis and at Suzuka in Japan in two weeks' time.

McLaren, though, lost only one race that year, while Ferrari have failed to win two so far this season.

But Schumacher said that record had not been talked about among the team as the season neared its end and other milestones were passed.

"It's not records that drive us," he said.

"Our target was to win the drivers' championship, the constructors' championship, ideally to have Rubens in second position, and the rest is probably cosmetic.

"We still feel very challenged and motivated to go for races and drive for our fans and enjoy ourselves. We work very hard to achieve such results."


Bureau Report