Barrichello on a high ahead of Hockenheim

RUBENS BARRICHELLO is not expecting a repeat of his maiden win at Hockenheim this weekend, but has not ruled out another podium place.

Back in 2000 Barrichello finally broke his victory duck, taking the chequered flag in the German Grand Prix at a time when he was with Ferrari. Now with Honda, the odds on a triumph at the track on this occasion are exceptionally long, in particular if it is hot and dry. But the forecast is for an unsettled weekend, and after his recent wet-weather heroics at the British Grand Prix, he could yet pull another surprise.

"It was fantastic to wake up on Monday after Silverstone and see the trophy," said Barrichello, who finished in the top three for the first time in three years. "To step onto the podium again was an unexpected but deserved outcome to our British Grand Prix weekend and I was so pleased.

"However, we have to keep our focus and continue to improve the performance of the car as we are fully aware that our result at Silverstone was assisted by the wet conditions."