Formula One: Barrichello fears McLaren challenge

Rubens Barrichello feels McLaren will be a bigger threat than Williams to Ferrari's Formula One dominance this year.

The Brazilian team-mate of four-time world champion Michael Schumacher, believes Adrian Newey will have designed a McLaren car which can enable David Coulthard to challenge for the title.

While McLaren endured a torrid 2001 campaign, Williams took a major step forward as Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya claimed four race wins, prompting many pundits to tip them as Ferrari's closest rivals this time.

Barrichello, though, expects motivation to be high at McLaren as they seek to banish the memories of last season and return to the pinnacle of the sport.

"A lot of people are talking about Williams but I am more concerned about McLaren," he said.

"They seem to have been forgotten about, but they have gone two years without winning the championship and will want to put that right. Adrian Newey is sure to have produced a very strong car."

Part of McLaren's problems last year stemmed from the disillusionment of Mika Hakkinen, who is now taking a sabbatical, and the Finn has been replaced by his young compatriot Kimi Raikkonen.

"Raikkonen seems to be a good driver but we will have to see what he will do under pressure," Barrichello said.

"It's a bit like Jenson Button - he was thoroughly impressive in his first season but then had a terrible year.

"Testing has been going well for Raikkonen but the pressure on him is a lot bigger now, as I saw when I joined Ferrari."