By Phil Huff
March 30 2006

Honda Racing F1's Rubens Barrichello kicked off proceedings at Melbourne today, talking to the assembled media in the Thursday press conference. Here's what he had to say... Rubens, you were so quick in testing pre-season yet it hasn't really been reflected by the races so far, how have you felt about the start of the season?

It was disappointing in the way that I really felt on top of my problems. We tested a lot at every circuit, and every time I got onto a circuit, I spent the first day getting used to everything. I say that because even though the seat fitting is good, the way I am driving the car is not the way I've driven in my whole life. I have to be a little bit different. So every time I get to a new circuit, the Friday seems to be a small struggle before I actually get on top of it. In Bahrain, I had a problem with the right rear brake which was running hot and we only got on top of the problem right at the end of the weekend. We had a problem with the sensor so we couldn't really read that there was a problem. And in Malaysia I struggled, big time. Right from the first moment I went out I never got a balance. I was having some problems with the brakes, so it was a struggle. I think you learn from these difficulties. I went back to Vallelunga, did some testing there, effectively I think it was a little bit better. So I come to a place that I enjoy very much, so it should be less of a struggle.

You've had a pole position here and second last year from eleventh place, so this is one of your favourites, is it?

This is one of my favourite tracks, the people and everything. I love the place … Melbourne is the third race this year but for me, it's just like the last couple of years when it was the first race, because I haven't scored at the other ones.

You are in a different team this year – Honda - is it very different to Ferrari?

In so many ways they are very much the same but the way that they operate and the way they work is a bit different. It's good, I like it. It's something that I look forward to getting my problems solved, in a way. They are doing things for me, they are on top of everything and it should be OK. But it is different, not because… in Ferrari, we talk in English, it wasn't such a problem on that side. Now it's an English team with the Japanese, but there's no problem with communication or anything. It's just the learning method, what I bring from other teams that I think is good and the way that they should put it in as a working manner, and some methods from them that I quite like, and it's a combination of things.

So change of team has been a breath of fresh air for you?

Absolutely, yes.

Despite all the changes to the technical regulations this year, specifically with engines, it appears as if the Renault still has a marked advantage off the line at the start of a race. Firstly do you agree with that and secondly if so why do you think that is?

You know, I think it is just a little bit too early to say they really have an advantage or that they used to... If you look at their start in Malaysia, I think Jenson was pretty level with Giancarlo. I still think that Giancarlo beat him by a little bit but I think Honda did a phenomenal job with the starts so we are quite happy on that side too. And if you look at Alonso, too, if it wasn't for his great move on the outside I don't think he would have gained any positions on the start. Obviously they know how to do it, because they have done it in the past, but I am not so sure that they still have the advantage of the past.