Biography of Rubens Barrichello

Red Rubinho

May 23, 1972 Rubens Gonçalves Barrichello was born in São Paulo, Brazil on May 23, 1972. From his surname derive its Italian origins. His career began at the early age of nine years in Brazilian Karting Championship category in which will run until 1988 coming to collect 5 national titles. The following year he participated in the Brazilian Formula Ford 1600 Championship: end with dignity in fourth place. His desire to experience leads Rubens to conduct tests for the European Formula Opel: its qualities are noticed and hence his career takes a turn positive. It is the 1990 when at the age of 18 years Rubens Barrichello debuts in Europe in Formula Opel: after 6 wins out of 11 races, 7 3, 7 pole positions and fastest laps of the circuit record, becomes champion. His European career in formula 3 Championship continues in England. Even here does not disappoint: is sample with 4 WINS and 9 pole positions. In 1992 is promoted to Formula 3000, where he does not have a competitive car: end however the Championship in third place. It's the 1993 year leading him in front of the entire audience of the Golden world of Formula 1. On 14 March she took part in the South Africa Grand Prix driving a team car JORDAN-HART. The Grand Prix is held in pouring rain: Rubens show everyone his great talent and just the great champion Ayrton Senna, friend and countryman, seems to be faster than him. Unfortunately a pain forced him to retire: end the World Championship at 17. In the next World Championship (1994), during the Grand Prix of San Marino is a fact that marked deeply the pilot: in free practice on Friday, Barrichello lost control of the car which exits the road flying until you hit the wire guard, with the serious risk of ending up close to the audience, then fell to the ground violently. The incident was scary, but Rubens manages to recover quickly. Help lead Barrichello at the hospital; Ayrton Senna joins him to check on the physical condition of Rubens, telling: "it was one of the most exciting moments of my life, I will never forget the face of Ayrton with tears in his eyes worried about my condition ...". Two days later, fate will see just Ayrton Senna a frightening off the road, on which loses life: is the May 1, 1994. In 1995 Rubens Barrichello continues his collaboration with team Jordan Peugeot engine from that year: he gets his best finish in the Grand Prix of Canada, where takes the second step of the podium. The 1996 is his fourth and final year with the team Jordan: finish eighth Championship, but never tread the podium. In 1997 Barrichello moves to Stewart-Ford where he remained for 3 years. In the Monaco Grand Prix, thanks to a remarkable driving skills in the wet, is a close second place behind Michael Schumacher. After a strong 1999 (7° with 21 points, pole position in France and 3 podiums) the Ferrari team wants him with her, to replace Eddie Irvine alongside Michael Schumacher. Barrichello finally available to what every driver wants: a fast and reliable machine. It's the July 30, 2000 when, in Germany starting from the eighteenth place, half the League, managed to realize a dream: wins his first Formula 1 Grand Prix. 2000 season ranked fourth in the world rankings and helps the Ferrari, with its 62 points, to win the Championship. In 2001 confirms the previous year. It's the perfect wingman for the Champion Michael Schumacher; It takes away a lot of personal satisfaction, competing on par with champions like Hakkinen and Coulthard. In the Grand Prix of Hungary which gives early races with final victory 4 Schumi, Barrichello finished second: on the podium there is finally also glory for him. It's just the beginning of a great cycle of victories that will see Ferrari protagonist on the track and in the pits, with an impressive continuity thanks to the perfect team game that Rubens Barrichello is capable of sustaining and food industries. At the beginning of August 2005 is made official the news that the Brazilian will leave Ferrari at the end of the season; in its place will come the compatriot Felipe Massa. Barrichello from 2006 will ride Honda (heir to the BAR). In 2008 exceeds a record that not even Michael Schumacher was able to beat: the most Grand Prix starts, overcoming the Italian Riccardo Patrese who counted 256.
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