Reports in Italy suggest that Rubens Barrichello will be told later this month by Ferrari officials that he will definitely be driving for the outfit in 2003.

Although the 29-year-old is understood to have an agreement to race until the end of next year, there were reports in recent months that Maranello chiefs were looking at replacing him with a more “fiery” and exciting talent. Some outlets believed that BMW-Williams star Juan-Pablo Montoya and Renault hotshot Jenson Button were on Ferrari’s shopping list, and there were suggestions new Sauber driver Felipe Massa was also being considered.

Sporting Director Jean Todt, in discussion with the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, said that Button and Montoya had not been contacted, and Massa was too young to make the step up.

Barrichello’s confirmation will reportedly come before the Monaco Grand Prix, possibly even on May 23, the Brazilian’s 30th birthday.

The sealing of a deal for next year would enable Barrichello to concentrate on his job and allow him some slack after a very unfortunate start to the season.

In Australia after starting from pole position he was out at the first corner after a collision with Ralf Schumacher, then in Malaysia and Brazil he suffered mechanical problems in the carried-over F2001 contender. It was in San Marino, when he used for the F2002 for the first time, that he came back to form with second place in a dominant one-two Ferrari finish on home turf.

Last week in Spain however, the Brazilian was again hit by bad luck, an electronic glitch preventing his car from leaving the formation grid line. The car was pushed into the pits but could not be started and Barrichello was forced to retire again.

"I am sure that I just have to stick at it and the good times will come my way," Barrichello last week.

"Imola was okay and Barcelona was just unlucky."