Their relationship did have a little hiccough at this year's Austrian Grand Prix.

That was the race at which the genial Brazilian finally understood his position in the team. He was ordered to move out of the way to let Schumacher past, and he did not react well.

His detractors would call him naïve - and of course he was, in a way. But Barrichello had been promised that if he was ahead of the German on merit, he would be allowed to stay there. So to be ordered out of his way before the season was even halfway done was a shock.

As long as Schumacher is there, Ferrari will only ever have eyes for him - and quite rightly, as he will always be their best chance.

This was self-evident to everyone else, it is just that it has taken Barrichello a little time to come round to the fact.

Generally, though, Barrichello has handled his chores at Ferrari well, and his faith has been rewarded with a third year at the team in 2002.

That has come as some surprise to many Formula One observers, some of whom expected the genial Brazilian to be overwhelmed mentally by the German as well as out on the track.

Barrichello - a fast, stylish driver who is particularly good in the wet - had built up in F1 a reputation as a nice guy who was too emotional to survive in the shark-pool that Ferrari can be.

Yet he demonstrated in 2000, his first season alongside Schumacher, a fortitude most doubted he had in not only surviving his first year alongside Schumacher, but coming out of it having won his first race.