RUBENS BARRICHELLO TO SET NEW F1 RECORD IN 2008
The 2008 Formula One season marks a historic milestone for
the Honda Racing F1 Team's Rubens Barrichello.
Following a long and distinguished career, which began at
the 1993 South African Grand Prix, Rubens will become the
most experienced Formula One driver of all time, surpassing
the current record of 256 Grands Prix set by Riccardo Patrese
in 1993.
In view of the lack of consensus regarding which specific
race marks Rubens' 257th Grand Prix, Rubens will celebrate
the milestone of 257 Grand Prix appearances at the Turkish
Grand Prix on 11 May 2008. Heading into this race, Rubens
will have 16 seasons of competition at the pinnacle of motorsport
under his belt, in which he has achieved nine race wins, 61
podiums and 13 pole positions. As a result of an accident
in Friday qualifying, Rubens did not qualify or race at San
Marino in 1994, however he did line up on the grid in Belgium
in 1998 and in Spain and France in 2002, despite encountering
difficulties which then prevented him from taking part in
these races.
Rubens began his Formula One career with the Jordan team
at the South African Grand Prix on 14 March 1993, racing against
such legends as Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. He spent four
years with Jordan before moving to Stewart Grand Prix for
the 1997 season. After three years with Stewart, Rubens joined
Ferrari in 2000 to partner Michael Schumacher and begin his
association with Honda Team Principal Ross Brawn, then Technical
Director at the Ferrari team. Rubens spent six years at Ferrari,
achieving nine Grand Prix wins and helping the team to five
Constructors' Championships.
In 2006, Rubens joined the Honda Racing F1 Team where he
has enjoyed a three-year partnership with Jenson Button and
has recently been 'reunited' with Ross Brawn, who joined Honda
as Team Principal in November 2007. Rubens and Jenson, along
with Test & Reserve Driver Alex Wurz, currently form the
most experienced driver line-up in Formula One.
Rubens Barrichello F1 Highlights (as of Bahrain GP
2008)
Grand Prix Debut: Kyalami, South Africa,
1993
Best World Championship Position: 2nd in 2002 & 2004
First Grand Prix Win: Hockenheim, Germany, 2000
Grand Prix Wins: 9
Podiums: 61
Pole Positions: 13
Grand Prix Points: 519
|
