28/12/2012
NEWS STORY
Mat Coch writes:
Rubens Barrichello's long open-wheel racing career looks to have come to an end after he announced plans to race in the Brazilian Stock Car series in 2013.
The most experienced Formula One driver in history, Barrichello lost his seat at Williams in favour of Bruno Senna at the end of 2011. It prompted a move to the American Indycar series, though the former Ferrari driver maintained his desire to return to Formula One.
However, with a growing list of candidates, an ever diminishing number of seats, not to mention advancing age, Barrichello appears to have finally accepted that his F1 career is over.
His move to Stock Cars has been rumoured for some time, Barrichello confirming it via Cloozup, a social media website for athletes. "Hello everyone, the time has come to make it official," he wrote. "I am excited to announce my plans to race for the 2013 Stockcar Championship in Brazil.
"After 20-plus years representing Brazil racing all over the world, it is time to come home," the 11-time Grand Prix winner added. "It will be amazing to race in my home country again, while allowing me to be closer to my family."
Now 40-years-old, Barrichello made his Formula One debut in 1993 for Jordan. He was a protégé of countryman Ayrton Senna and spent four years with Jordan before a switch to Stewart in 1997. Another move to Ferrari in 2000 saw him notch up his first Grand Prix win, adding another eight before leaving the Prancing Horse.
In 2005 the Brazilian partnered Jenson Button at Honda, and remained with the Brackley squad during Brawn's the 2009 championship winning campaign where he won his final two Grands Prix before two years at Williams. 'Rubinho' started 322 Grands Prix across an 18 year Formula One career, marking him as the most experienced driver in the sport's history.
Barrichello is not the only former Formula One driver turning to touring cars with Jaime Alguersuari tipped to join Mercedes in DTM, while Pitpass' own Christian Klien has made no secret of his desire to race V8 Supercars in Australia.