Hopefully an open and fair fight at Brawn

Both Brawn drivers said they were confident in an open and fair fight for the 2009 title.
The Red Bull duo is still mathematically in contention for the world championship, but Brawn's one-two in Monza demonstrated that Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello are the main contenders for this year's world title.

Although the pair of rivals are on the same roof in the yellow and white garage, their boss Ross Brawn has already promised that team orders will not be given as long as fair play prevails between the two drivers.

“All I ask of my drivers now is to compete openly and fairly, to work honestly together, but have the right experience to handle the situation,” the Briton said after the Italian Grand Prix.

Whatever happens, both Barrichello and Button have already stated that nothing will change from now on, despite the fact that after the last four races only one of them will be able to realize their lifelong dream and become world champion.

Alongside the Brazilian driver in the press conference after the Monza race, Button jokingly said that he "hated this guy", referring to his teammate, before adding seriously: "I think we will continue to share information but when we get to the circuit we are obviously rivals,” clarified the championship leader, 14 points ahead of the veteran Brazilian driver. “Rubens will certainly be a tough rival.”

Barrichello, who at the age of 37 is the oldest driver on the starting grid, said he agreed that despite the high stakes, fair play between the two will not end.

“There's the old saying that only the tough win in F1. But we are both good guys, so it will be the end of this old story,” the Brazilian told journalists present in Monza.

As for the exchange of information, Barrichello said: “Everything there is an open book. We have our meetings and go to the checklist at the same time, so we can hear everything.”

Andre' Cotta