Rubens Barrichello

Rubens Gonçalves Barrichello was born on May 23, 1972, in São Paulo, Brazil, where he grew up dreaming of following in the footsteps of his heroes Ayrton Senna and Nelson Piquet. His karting career was prodigious, and he arrived in European racing as one of the most talented Brazilian prospects since Senna himself.

Barrichello's Formula 1 debut in 1993 with the Jordan team came at a time of great tragedy and change in the sport. His close relationship with Ayrton Senna, who died at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix where Barrichello himself had a terrifying crash during practice, profoundly affected him and shaped his perspective on racing and life.

His early Formula 1 career with Jordan and Stewart was marked by impressive performances in uncompetitive cars. Barrichello's ability to extract maximum performance from inferior machinery earned him recognition as one of the most talented drivers on the grid, even as race victories remained elusive during this period.

The move to Ferrari in 2000 as Michael Schumacher's teammate transformed Barrichello's career. At the sport's most successful team, he finally had the equipment to compete for victories and championships. His emotional first victory at the 2000 German Grand Prix, achieved after years of near-misses, remains one of Formula 1's most moving moments.

Barrichello's role at Ferrari was complex and sometimes controversial. While he won eleven races for the team and contributed significantly to their constructors' championship successes, team orders that required him to yield to Schumacher created public sympathy and debate about the nature of number-one and number-two driver relationships in Formula 1.

His later career with Honda, Brawn GP, and Williams demonstrated his continued competitiveness and adaptability. His performances with Brawn GP in 2009, where he won two races and challenged for the championship in a team that had nearly ceased to exist months earlier, showcased his enduring talent and passion for racing.

Barrichello set the record for the most Formula 1 Grand Prix starts, a testament to his longevity, physical fitness, and continued competitiveness across nearly two decades of racing. This durability record reflects both his love of racing and his ability to remain relevant in a sport that constantly evolves.

After his Formula 1 career, Barrichello has continued racing in various categories including stock car racing in Brazil and endurance events. His enduring passion for motorsport and his status as one of Brazil's most beloved sporting figures ensure his legacy in Formula 1 and global motorsport remains secure.