Just a week after being part of Ferrari’s controversial finish when he handed victory to team-mate Michael Schumacher on the final straight, Rubens Barrichello has said he wants to leave all that behind and focus on future results.

The Brazilian came away from the Zeltweg event in two minds. On one side, there was huge letdown at not being “allowed” to win his second career Grand Prix, while on the other side he was content to be playing his part in the team by doing everything to help Schumacher win the World Championship even if it meant sacrificing his own interests.

‘I was surprised at the reaction of the crowd and of the people in the media centre after the Austrian Grand Prix,’ said the 29-year-old.

‘It was a team decision by Ferrari. Of course, I would have preferred not to have been given the radio message to move over, but it was a calm discussion between me and the pit-wall. I feel I won the race anyway and we have seen this situation in the past from Ferrari and from other teams.’

Barrichello dismissed talk that it would be a long time before he had as good a chance to win a Grand Prix.

‘I am still tackling the season with an open mind, concentrating on my racing,’ he said confidently.

‘I am going through a very good period in my life in general and I will be doing my best to win in Monaco. I know that I am driving well enough to win races. Austria was an amazing weekend and everyone could see how well it was going for me on Friday and Saturday.

‘What happened in Austria is the past and I can go to Monaco with my head up, looking to have a seriously good weekend.’

Ferrari’s F2002 he said, was a formidable package that gave him confidence whenever – and wherever – he raced.

‘The car is very well suited to any track we race on,’ he said. ‘It is a superb package, which gives me as a driver a lot of confidence.

‘In Austria, Williams did a very good job of being very close to us, but on Friday we worked very hard to make our car consistent and that meant we were very optimistic for the race.

‘Last year, we felt the BMW-Williams had a slight power advantage over us, but this season I am not sure if that is still the case.’

After seven rounds in the Championship, Barrichello is fourth in the Drivers’ Championship with 12 points, two in front of McLaren’s David Coulthard.