30.03.2004 "once you are used to finding the limits of a Formula 1 car, learning a new track is not such a big deal" RUBENS BARRICHELLO LOOKS FORWARD TO BAHRAIN

Having returned to his native Brazil after the Malaysian Grand Prix, Rubens Barrichello is about to head off to the Middle East for the first ever Bahrain Grand Prix.

There has been much discussion in recent weeks about the security of everyone involved in this new event, but the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver is adopting a pragmatic approach.

“You have got to be aware of what is going on in the world,” concedes the Brazilian. “You only have to look at the tragic events in Madrid a few weeks ago: such a beautiful city and something like that happens.

"It means that wherever you go in the world you have to be concerned, but I think this grand prix is such a big event for this part of the world that I am sure the organisers have done all that is necessary to ensure it is a success and that all security arrangements are in place.”

While the Bahrain GP is new for everyone, this will also be the Ferrari man’s first ever visit to this part of the world. “I have never been anywhere in this part of the world and in fact, I am going to spend a couple of days in Dubai before making the trip to Bahrain and I am very much looking forward to discovering another part of the world.”

The challenge facing Rubens and all the other drivers will be getting to grips with a brand new track. “I like to approach a new circuit in the old-fashioned way, which is to get to the track and walk round it or maybe cycle,” he revealed. “I will probably do a couple of laps, walking, running or cycling to develop a feel for the place.

"By the time I get in the car, the engineers will have done all the necessary circuit simulation programmes and they will know what speeds we can expect and the most likely gear for each corner.

"Then all you can do is start driving and learn the track phase by phase. But to be honest, once you are used to finding the limits of a Formula 1 car, learning a new track is not such a big deal.”

At most circuits, drivers rely on various landmarks around the track to get their bearings. “I have heard there might not be so many points around the circuit to help the drivers, which is natural I guess given it is in the desert. But I have always been open minded about using markers for my braking or turning points. Sometimes there might be something useful like a bridge across the track or a change in the surface of the asphalt. You first notice these things when you walk the track, but not until you have driven it do you know if these are useful indications or not. Only then can you decide what to take as a reference.

"Hopefully, after the first ten laps you should know enough to start making changes to the car and be on the limit. I think the specific problem with this circuit is that it is going to be dirty as it is brand new and so the limit is going to be very changeable. So, ten laps is enough to know what you are doing, but until there is a good layer of rubber on the surface, you are going to be learning all the time.”

Racing in Bahrain might be a completely new experience, but Barrichello is looking forward to it. “The F2004 has proved to be competitive at the first two races,” states the Brazilian. “So I don’t see any reason why that should not be the same here.”