BBC SPORT | FORMULA ONE | Barrichello cool on chances

Rubens Barrichello celebrated his new Ferrari contract by upstaging team-mate and world champion Michael Schumacher in Friday's practice for the Austrian Grand Prix.

But the Brazilian was coy about his chances of victory at a circuit where last year Ferrari ordered him to move aside for the German.

The A1-Ring is the only track on which Schumacher has not won.

Take a spin round the circuit with Jarno Trulli

And Barrichello declined to be drawn on the likelihood of him being allowed to prevent the four-times champion completing his set.

Photo Gallery: Friday practice in pictures

"I don't like to read too much into the future," he told a news conference.

"We'll wait until Sunday and then see what's going to happen. If we get worried about too many things we are burning energy and it's not worth it.

"Friday times don't mean much at all," added the Brazilian after lapping 0.03 seconds faster than Schumacher with a time of one minute 10.549secs.

Juan Pablo Montoya hopes his Williams can close the gap on Ferrari
Juan Pablo Montoya was third fastest in practice
But the German was unperturbed: "Things have gone smoothly today," he said.

"We had a few little excursions into the gravel but on this circuit that is quite normal.

"The competition is close, with four cars within one tenth of a second."

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, the Williams driver who is 21 points behind Schumacher in second place in the championship, was third quickest.

"I think this is going to be a tough weekend but we hope to be closer to Ferrari here," he said.

Montoya's time was only 0.064 off Barrichello's best and 0.034 slower than Schumacher's.


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