Barrichello looks to mark his 300th Formula One Grand Prix in Belgium
Williams’ driver, the veteran Rubens Barrichello has been generating a great deal of media frenzy nowadays for a couple of reasons. Firstly, everyone in the Formula One world is thirsty to know if Barrichello is still furious at his former Ferrari team mate and current Mercedes GP driver, Michael Schumacher, for pulling off an audacious stunt at the recent Hungarian Grand Prix that could have potentially endangered the Brazilian’s life. Secondly, Barrichello’s appearance at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix will mark his record 300th participation in a championship race.
The latest on the Barrichello-Schumacher tussle has been the news that the seven times world champion, Schumacher, has personally apologized to the Brazilian for his potentially calamity-inviting move at the Hungaroring where Barrichello found himself pushed mercilessly against the pit wall by Schumacher as the German driver tried to overtake him. The apology, which Schumacher claims to have made via a text message, comes after the German publically announced he was “sorry” if Barrichello had felt threatened by the maneuver. Schumacher claimed it was an innocent attempt to overtake. Yet, the Brazilian refused to buy the Mercedes GP driver’s explanation, terming his stint as “horrible”. However, now that Schumacher has personally begged for Barrichello’s pardon, the Brazilian has announced he is pacified and has graciously accepted the former world champion’s apology.
When asked about his offering of remorse, Schumacher confirmed he had indeed been in touch with Barrichello over the matter. The German said he had texted Barrichello to congratulate him for his record breaking 300th championship race participation and to erase any misconceptions the Brazilian might have had about his motives following their brush-up at the Hungarian Grand Prix last month.
Meanwhile, other members of the Formula One fraternity have expressed their awe at Barrichello’s impending record. Among them are also McLaren drivers, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. The two racers were highly skeptical over their own chances of staying in Formula One long enough to appear in 300 Grand Prix’s. Barrichello, on the other hand has said his thirst for the sport is nowhere close to being satiated, elaborating that his passion for racing was very much intact after spending nearly two decades at the pinnacle of motor sport. The Brazilian said his drive had surprised even his own family, remarking that his wife was fearful he will never quit racing.
Interestingly, Barrichello revealed that his thirst for racing had intensified rather than drying out over the decades. In the past, he said, the break from racing activity never seemed long enough. Yet now, remarked Barrichello, the release from driving left him restless to return to the tracks.
The Brazilian also reflected on his time with Ferrari, where he partnered Michael Schumacher for a significant part of his career. Revealingly, Barrichello said nothing about his time as the Italian team’s number two driver upset him today. Barrichello lost some respect back home in Brazil after he agreed to play the second fiddle to Schumacher at the Scuderia, helping to aid the German in winning some of his world championship titles. Brazilians, desperate for someone to fill the void left by the untimely death of the nations lost son, the late great Ayrton Senna, probably the best driver ever to have graced Formula One tracks, found it difficult to forgive Barrichello for letting them down. The Brazilian is, in fact, the saintly Senna’s protégé.
Yet, regardless of the controversy generated by his number-two status at Ferrari, Barrichello insisted his time at Ferrari had been a valuable and enjoyable experience which had ultimately molded him into a better person. Although many in the Formula One world might not believe the Brazilian over this, the fact remains that Barrichello is without doubt a well respected and a popular guy in the Formula One paddocks, admired for his decency both on and off the track. As he looks to celebrate his 300th Grand Prix appearance in Belgium this year, the Formula One at large will share his joy.
Tags: