Ferrari miss Schumacher

Ferrari's Jean Todt has admitted that repeating last year's Italian Grand Prix one-two is likely to prove an almost impossible task in the continued absence of team leader Michael Schumacher. The Scuderia's sporting director, speaking as the team began preparing for Sunday's race at Monza, admitted that the further delays to Schumacher's recovery are a major setback. "I am disappointed that Michael Schumacher will not be back at the wheel of his Ferrari," said the Frenchman. "However, I would rather he comes back when he is 100 per cent fit and not before."

Schumacher was due to make his grand prix reappearance on home soil this weekend, but postponed the comeback after doctors advised him to rest his injured leg for four more weeks. With only the Malaysian and Japanese races then remaining, it appears unlikely the Ferrari number one will drive for the team again this season. The German's absence leaves Ferrari with an uphill task at Monza. The team relinquished control of both the drivers' and constructors' championships in Belgium, and reclaiming the title high ground looks beyond them here: the circuit's high-speed straights and fast corners appear to favour the power advantage of the McLarens. "Last year's result at Monza was a dream and I hope that dream can come true again this year," said Todt. "But I know that, just like every other battle this season, we will have a very tough fight on our hands."

While Eddie Irvine and Ferrari attempt to puzzle out the solution to the challenge of Mika Hakkinen and the Monza circuit, the team's new recruit, Rubens Barrichello, yesterday admitted he is relishing the prospect of racing with the team in 2000. "It means a lot to me because Ferrari is Ferrari," said the Stewart driver of the reputed £6 million deal that will see him oust Irvine, even as the Irishman goes the other way.

"I've done the deal because I think it's the chance of my life to get a really competitive car. With Stewart this year I've had a competitive car, but I'm sure with Ferrari the chances are even bigger. Also the chance to drive alongside Michael who is one of the best, if not the best, in the world. So I think I have a chance to learn, to work with the best. It's a great challenge."

The one stumbling block remains the Brazilian's status within the team. While Barrichello refused to acknowledge that he would, like Irvine, be subservient to Schumacher, he did admit that he would hold number two status next season. "I think I am number two, yes, but a number two with chances. Let's say 1(b)," he said. "I have the chance to prove myself. I am definitely number two, because I have come much later than him and the space is his, so I have to create my space. I have to drive the car, get to know people, show what I am able to do, show what I'm capable of doing and then start thinking about where I am.

While Barrichello must try to fathom Ferrari's team orders for next season, David Coulthard seems determined to make the most of McLaren's insistence that intra-team edicts are not a factor between he and Hakkinen.

Yesterday, the Scot, who won in Spa after a first corner tangle with his team-mate gifted him the lead, insisted that his championship chances were still alive and that there was no dissension within McLaren's ranks.

Meanwhile, at Jordan, there is renewed speculation over the future of Damon Hill with rumours once again circulating that the Englishman will not see out the season with the team. According to the latest gossip, if Jordan has secured third place in the constructors' championship after the European Grand Prix in a fortnight's time, they may let Hill go in favour of giving new signing Jarno Trulli an early taste of racing with Jordan.

The transfer would depend on approval from the Italian's current team Prost, but with the French outfit keen to blood their own new signing, recently crowned F3000 champion, Nick Heidfeld and Jordan currently lying a comfortable 23 points ahead of nearest third place rivals Williams, the end of season game of musical chairs could yet come to pass.