Former System 1 driver Rubens Barrichello received each races of the NASCAR Brazil Interlagos spherical final weekend. His victories got here greater than 13 years after his retirement from F1 and marked a return to the highest spot of the rostrum at Interlagos for the primary time since 1990 when he competed in South American System 3.
“After I stopped racing in System 1, I used to be 39 years outdated,” mentioned Barrichello.
“I heard some individuals saying that I had already proven every thing I needed to present. And, for me, that confirmed that folks did not know me.”
Barrichello entered his debut season in NASCAR Brazil in 2025, and received each races when the sequence stopped off at Interlagos this weekend. The Ferrari and BrawnGP icon triumphed in NASCAR Brazil’s third spherical, getting his first victory on Saturday and following it with a win in Sunday’s fundamental race.
“Interlagos, for me, is a pleasure,” Barrichello mentioned.
“I have been driving right here since 1990, after I received the race. The tow right here [in this championship] has a big effect. Roger Penske could not see the race [because of the 2025 Indy 500 qualifying], in any other case he’d name me to race on a little bit oval. Keep tuned, Mr. Penske!”
After retiring from F1 in 2011, the Brazilian racer had a spell in IndyCar, adopted by stints in inventory vehicles and endurance racers. Barichello now races in Inventory Automobile Professional and NASCAR Brazil, and obtained his final title within the former in 2022 after clinching his first championship win in Inventory Automobile Professional again in 2014.
The final two Inventory Automobile Professional years, although, have been troublesome for him: he was seventh in 2023 and simply 14th in 2024. Now, at 52, the previous F1 driver is popping round his seasons following a troublesome begin to 2025.
Rubens Barrichello, Brawn GP BGP001 Mercedes battles with Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren MP4-24 Mercedes
Photograph by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Pictures
“The reality is that it is a terrific pleasure to have the ability to struggle with all of your power for a victory you have at all times dreamed of, and this weekend it got here in double doses,” he mentioned.
“We noticed [Nico] Rosberg, for instance, who was a champion and retired. However I actually like what I do, it is a present, it’s with gratitude that I compete, battling youthful and skilled drivers. I’m a really grateful individual for all of the conditions.
“When Thiago [Marques, NASCAR Brazil CEO] and Maurício [Ferreira, team principal] from Full Time Crew confirmed me the angle [for NASCAR Brazil], I solely had an issue with dates, as a result of there are some rounds that I am unable to race. For instance, I will not race the following NASCAR spherical as a result of I’ve to be at Le Mans.”
Barrichello won’t race in Le Mans subsequent month, however as an alternative has sponsorship ties to the occasion that his son, Eduardo Barrichello, will contest with the Racing Spirit of Leman GT3 workforce in World Endurance Championship.
“I am going to take my helmet and if one thing occurs…” the Brazilian mentioned.
“Anyway, once they [Marques and Ferreira] confirmed me what we may do, it did not take lengthy for us to determine that I’d race [in NASCAR Brazil].
“The love I’ve for my occupation, together with gratitude, make me a balanced individual.
“What obtained worse for ‘Rubinho?’ My eyesight. I am getting older, my eyesight will get worse, however you adapt to it and every thing is ok.”
Learn Additionally:
Barrichello will have a good time his 53rd birthday on Friday 23 Could, with observe motion within the Inventory Automobile Professional Sequence’ Cascavel spherical, the place he’ll preserve dwelling as much as his already unimaginable – and passionate – motorsport journey.
On this article
Carlos Costa
System 1
NASCAR
Inventory Automobile Professional Sequence
Rubens Barrichello
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