Brawn welcomes Barrichello barb

Ross Brawn believes Rubens Barrichello’s bitterness following his latest defeat by team-mate Jenson Button is “a healthy sign”.

Although yesterday’s one-two at the Spanish Grand Prix was Brawn’s second of a so-far sensational season, it was one that failed to impress the Brazilian who had to settle for second best again.

Barrichello was left surprised at the team’s decision to switch Button from a three-stop strategy to two stops just a lap prior to his first trip into the pits whilst he remained unchanged.

The 36-year-old was clearly unhappy at missing out on a victory he felt should have been his after passing pole-sitter Button on the run down to the first corner.

Left to ponder whether Button is now being favoured, Barrichello made it clear if that were the case, he would immediately quit.

Brawn, though, is delighted Barrichello is displaying the kind of fighting spirit he was unable to show during his years at Ferrari when he basically served as Michael Schumacher’s stooge.

“Rubens’ unhappiness is natural,” commented Brawn.

“But then any driver who gets beaten and is unhappy is not a driver I want in the team.

“So the fact Rubens is unhappy is a healthy sign because I would see it as very strange if he was quite content to finish second behind Jenson.”

Despite the fact Button has now won four of this year’s five grands prix to lead Barrichello by 14 points in the championship, Brawn is delighted with the job the veteran has done so far.

“I think Rubens has had a little bit of bad luck, and I know luck shouldn’t come into it,” added Brawn.

“In China he was looking very strong. In fact for a dry race he was in better shape than Jenson.

“But then in the wet he had a problem with the brakes. One of them glazed over on the rear which made life very interesting for him.

“In qualifying in Bahrain, when we’d gone for a pretty aggressive strategy which meant being at the front, he didn’t achieve it as he had a problem with his front-wing.

“But I’m pleased with Rubens’ performance this year. He’s contributed an awful lot to the team, helping sort the car out.

“He gives very valuable technical information, and I think it just hasn’t quite fallen for him this season.

“Jenson’s doing a superb job, so that’s the reference, but I’m very happy with Rubens, and I’m sure if we get a smooth weekend he’ll be up there.”