Formula 1: 'I don't need Schu to help me' - Barrichello

Rubens Barrichello says he does not want Michael Schumacher's help in the fight for second place in the world championship.

The Brazilian has to win Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix and hope David Coulthard fails to finish in the top four to snatch second spot in the final race of the campaign.

But Barrichello admits he would rather see off Coulthard by his own efforts than accept help from his Ferrari team-mate.

"It is a bad thing to let somebody by," said Barrichello, who trails Coulthard by seven points after being forced to retire from the last race at Indianapolis with a blown engine.

"He (Schumacher) let me by in Indianapolis because I was on a two-stop and he was on a one-stop so we had to help each other then.

"At the end of the day you work for a team and you just have to agree with so many things that probably you wouldn't like to. Sometimes its fair, sometimes its not. I just hope he doesn't have to let me by. I hope things will be different."

Barrichello was deeply upset when he was ordered to move over so Schumacher could claim second place in Austria earlier this season and was told to back off and protect his team-mate's ailing Ferrari in Canada last year.

The 29-year-old, though, wants to stop Coulthard claiming second spot for the first time in the Scotsman's career having finished third overall on four occasions.

"I've always said that I think second place is better than third and third is better than fourth," said Barrichello. "But at the end of the day we're fighting for second place which is not I think the best thing in the world.

"I think after the team won the championship with Michael it has been proved that with a little bit of help and a little bit more attention I can do the job.

"But at the end of the day I have to win the race and David has to finish fifth or lower so its a hard task. I don't wish him bad at all but I am going to be fighting for sure."