Rubens Barrichello is a Formula 1 institution, the most experienced driver in Grand Prix history. During his Formula 1 career he has driven for Jordan, Stewart, Ferrari, Honda and Brawn GP.
Early Racing Career of Rubens Barrichello
Rubens Barrichello is named after his father, and also shares the same birthday. A native of Sao Paulo, he was a multiple Brazilian karting champion in his youth. In 1990 Barrichello took the major step of moving to Europe to further his racing career. It paid off as he claimed the Formula Vauxhall Lotus title that year. 1991 saw Barrichello win the prestigious British Formula 3 championship, beating David Coulthard among others.
After a season of Formula 3000 in 1992 which brought him third place overall in the series Rubens Barrichello became a Formula 1 driver in 1993. He had been spotted by Irishman Eddie Jordan, who signed him to drive for his eponymous Grand Prix team.
Rubens Barrichello in Formula 1
In his first season of Formula 1 Barrichello showed glimpses of brilliance, particularly in the European Grand Prix at Donington. After starting from 12th he ran as high as second before his car failed. Poor reliability meant he only scored two points all season, finishing fifth in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
Rubens Barrichello stayed with Jordan for 1994 and the season started well, with consecutive points finishes in the first two races. Then, at Imola, disaster struck. On the Friday Barrichello crashed heavily and only prompt intervention from the Formula 1 medical team saved his life, as he lay unconscious with a blocked airway.
While recovering in hospital Barrichello was visited by his good friend and countryman Ayrton Senna. Tragically, Senna lost his life during the Grand Prix at Imola. His death came just one day after the Austrian rookie Roland Ratzenberger was killed during qualifying.
Barrichello was one of the pall bearers at Senna's funeral and his death affected him greatly. He did return to Formula 1 and recorded the first pole position of his career at Spa-Francorchamps. After the tragedy at Imola Barrichello carried the hopes of a nation in Formula 1.
After staying with Jordan until the end of the 1996 season Barrichello moved to Jackie Stewart's new Formula 1 team, still seeking a maiden Grand Prix victory. He finished second at the 1997 Monaco Grand Prix, which was an incredible result for such a new team.
By 1999 Barrichello still hadn't tasted victory in Formula 1, but that all changed in 2000 when he signed to drive for Ferrari alongside Michael Schumacher. At that year's German Grand Prix Barrichello drove impeccably in tricky conditions to win from 18th on the grid. At last Rubens Barrichello was a Formula 1 winner. The emotion of the moment got to him on the podium, where he broke down in tears.
More victories followed over the coming seasons, but Barrichello was number two to Schumacher in the team. Finally, at the end of the 2005 Formula 1 season, he left Ferrari to join Honda. Three frustrating years followed without a single victory, before Honda pulled out of Formula 1 at the end of 2008.
Barrichello's Formula 1 career was seemingly over, until salvation arrived in the shape of Ross Brawn. He purchased the defunct Honda operation and employed Barrichello to drive alongside Jenson Button. The early races of 2009 saw Button win seven Grands Prix, while Barrichello struggled to match his pace. Then, at the European Grand Prix in Valencia Barrichello's luck changed and he scored his first Grand Prix win for five years. The victory kept him very much in the hunt for the Formula 1 World Championship.
 |
 |
