Ferrari was raring to go at the start of the 2000 Formula 1 season, fully aware of its highly competitive package. Eddie Irvine had joined Jaguar, and the Brazilian Rubens Barrichello was set to race alongside Michael Schumacher. The team made a blistering start.: Schumacher won the first three races of the season, with McLaren coming back into the picture with victories in Britain and Spain and Ferrari triumphing again in the European and Canadian Grand Prix. The lead was remarkable: Schumacher was on 56 points, followed by Coulthard with 34 and Hakkinen 32.