Barrichello revels in return

Eurosport - Fri, 06 Mar 19:23:00 2009

Rubens Barrichello celebrated a new lease of life as a Formula One driver and took aim at critics who wrote off his chances of returning this season.

FORMULA 1 2008 Barrichello - 0

The 36-year-old Brazilian ended last year out of contract with the Honda team who appeared to favour rookie compatriot Bruno Senna, nephew of the late triple champion Ayrton, as a replacement.

However, Honda's decision to walk away from the sport and sell the team threw Barrichello a lifeline, with major regulation changes and restrictions on testing putting a premium on experience.

"These last four months I preferred silence," Barrichello said on his website after Honda sold their team to Ross Brawn, the man who led it last season and worked with the Brazilian at Ferrari.

The new Brawn GP team confirmed that Barrichello would line up alongside Britain's Jenson Button.

"People said I was done, that nobody wanted me, and there was one who wrote that Bruno Senna had already signed for three years with the team, an absurd story where the desperate (reporter) tried to get a beat without having any basis or source," said Barrichello.

"The important thing is that during this period of hard times I kept my faith, worked my body out hard and kept quiet, speaking only to the team's personnel.

"To say that I was sure when I declared at the Brazilian GP that that race was not my last one would be too much, but something told me it wasn't," he added, referring to last November's season-ender.

Barrichello is Formula One's most experienced driver with 270 races under his belt and nine wins for Ferrari as Michael Schumacher's team mate. He said last year that he was driving better than ever.

"I start the year very anxious, because we'll have only a few tests before the first race, but with a car that will be fast and with a very good Mercedes motor behind us," he added.

"I'm looking forward to it."

Barrichello will be testing in Barcelona next week.

Reuters

Comment 30 - 49 of 49

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  1. harleyboy do you think Rubino had a choice in the­ matter? I am not sure he did.

    From B Mackenzie, on Mon 9 Mar 4:11PM

  2. Yes Harley I'm sure he'd have got more points­ than Massa if he'd been driving for Ferrari.

    From Mike, on Sun 8 Mar 4:42PM

  3. Too bad Rubens did not stck with Ferrari, he would have­ won a world champ. for sure. Great driver, lousy car.

    From harleyboy, on Sun 8 Mar 4:38PM
  4. Comment hidden due to it's low rating. Show

    ..
    I heard chitty chitty bang bang is doing undercover­ work,,,,all his posts have been put into a dossier­ too!!

    From , on Sun 8 Mar 10:48AM

  5. I hope that reporter got his @#$% canned.
    Im glad that­ Reubens is back.

    From Branden W, on Sun 8 Mar 5:20AM
  6. Comment hidden due to it's low rating. Show

    marnio from peru is dead

    From , on Sat 7 Mar 11:55PM
  7. Comment hidden due to it's low rating. Show

    Yes,indeedy,
    Adam l needs to get banned..he is­ aprticular brand of onsulting pratt all on his­ own...
    oh yeah i forgot adrian w

    From , on Sat 7 Mar 11:15PM
  8. Comment hidden due to it's low rating. Show

    I hope that these site dominators like slimj.bill­ mac,mga,me bloater jenner,chitty bang bang plus­ others

    The zombie crew are gonna submit all the­ evidence regarding these posters,and hopefully we can­ get them banned permanently...

    From , on Sat 7 Mar 11:13PM

  9. I hope Barrichello does really well this year, it would­ be good to see him end on a high

    From Tony M, on Sat 7 Mar 10:04PM

  10. An appropriate time to come on to say it will be nice­ to say something without some pc tutor coming on and­ saying your out of line.

    From wizzo, on Sat 7 Mar 8:25PM

  11. Touro I can feel the chains loosenin..

    From Simon, on Sat 7 Mar 8:20PM
  12. Comment hidden due to it's low rating. Show

    Well we gonna need it coz the filth mob have been­ hanging on that thumbs down, now everything is tittts­ up...!!

    From , on Sat 7 Mar 8:16PM
  13. Comment hidden due to it's low rating. Show

    What are the filthy piglet mob up to now?

    From , on Sat 7 Mar 8:14PM
  14. Comment hidden due to it's low rating. Show

    just havin a cuppa and rollin sleeves for a bit of­ butchery LOL

    From , on Sat 7 Mar 8:06PM
  15. Comment hidden due to it's low rating. Show

    Here here, hunch.

    From Simon, on Sat 7 Mar 7:53PM
  16. Comment hidden due to it's low rating. Show

    And im glad ....your marnio is unkillable...you deserve­ each other....

    From , on Sat 7 Mar 7:33PM
  17. Comment hidden due to it's low rating. Show

    Ok forget it,
    lets have another 6 months worth .
    I­ thought id offer you a bit of help to resolve peasant­ dispute.
    but you dont deserve it...
    The nutters are­ getting stronger and there are more of them ,
    so­ peasants.... watch this space...

    From , on Sat 7 Mar 7:30PM

  18. Opinions of teams best drivers etc etc aside,this guy­ deserves respect.270 gp`s!!!! If you have had the­ chance to watch any number of races live you`ll­ understand how physical the sport is and for a driver­ to have the longevity Ruben`s had in the sport(with a­ very respectable record by the way)it just shows how­ much this driver loves and has done for the sport.As i­ said,respect Rubens,nothing but respect!! Good luck for­ this season and also for Lewis.

    From gerald, on Sat 7 Mar 7:27PM
  19. Comment hidden due to it's low rating. Show

    Slimj ill tell your teenage daughters what to do for­ you if you want are they over16?

    From , on Sat 7 Mar 7:26PM

  20. Good one Slim, but at least there's hope for them­ in the future.

    From the real adrian, on Sat 7 Mar 7:14PM
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