Rubens Barrichello

Rubens Gonçalves Barrichello (born 23 May 1972) is a Brazilian former racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1993 to 2011, holding the all-time record for the most Grand Prix starts with 322 races, and achieving the most podium finishes (68) for any driver who never won a World Championship. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Barrichello was immersed in motorsport from an early age and began karting in 1981 at just nine years old. His natural talent became immediately apparent when he became Brazilian Junior Karting Champion just two years later. From 1986 to 1988, Barrichello dominated Brazilian karting, winning both the São Paulo city championship and the Brazilian National Karting titles every year.

His success in karting led him to Europe to pursue car racing, where he quickly established himself in the ultra-competitive British racing scene. In 1991, driving for West Surrey Racing, Barrichello won the British Formula 3 Championship with four victories, narrowly beating a young David Coulthard to the title in one of the closest championship battles in the series' history. This success immediately attracted Formula One interest, and Barrichello signed with the Jordan team for 1993. He made his Formula One debut at the 1993 South African Grand Prix at just 20 years old, becoming Brazil's latest hope to follow in the footsteps of legends Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet, and his idol Ayrton Senna.

Barrichello's early years at Jordan showcased his raw talent, with several impressive performances including a sensational second-place finish in the torrential 1993 European Grand Prix at Donington Park and a pole position at the 1994 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. He remained with Jordan through 1996, consistently delivering strong results despite the team's mid-grid equipment. When Stewart Grand Prix entered Formula One in 1997, Barrichello signed as team leader, helping to develop the new team through three seasons. His loyalty was rewarded when he scored Stewart's first podium at the 1997 Monaco Grand Prix and the team's maiden victory at the rain-soaked 1999 French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours, an emotional triumph that demonstrated his ability to win.

When Stewart was purchased by Ford and transformed into Jaguar Racing, Barrichello made a career-defining move to Ferrari for the 2000 season. At Ferrari from 2000 to 2005, Barrichello partnered Michael Schumacher during the German's period of absolute dominance. While playing second fiddle to arguably the greatest driver in Formula One history was challenging, Barrichello excelled in the role, providing crucial support that helped Ferrari secure six consecutive Constructors' Championships. He won nine Grands Prix for Ferrari, with his breakthrough victory coming at the 2000 German Grand Prix at Hockenheim after 124 race starts.

Barrichello finished as championship runner-up in both 2002 and 2004, and third in 2001, achieving career-best results while consistently outperforming every driver except Schumacher. His time at Ferrari included controversial moments, most notably the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix where he was ordered to allow Schumacher to pass for victory in a display of team orders that sparked widespread controversy. At the 2003 British Grand Prix and 2004 Italian Grand Prix, Barrichello achieved the rare perfect weekend of pole position, race victory, and fastest lap, demonstrating that on his day he could match anyone. After Ferrari, Barrichello joined Honda for 2006-2008, enduring difficult seasons with increasingly uncompetitive cars.

However, when Honda withdrew from Formula One and the team was reformed as Brawn GP for 2009, Barrichello experienced an unexpected renaissance. During Brawn's fairy-tale season, he won at Valencia and Monza, scoring his final two Formula One victories and helping the team secure the Constructors' Championship. His last win, the 2009 Italian Grand Prix, came five years after his previous victory, demonstrating his enduring talent at age 37. Barrichello moved to Williams for 2010-2011, his final two Formula One seasons, before retiring with 11 career victories, 14 pole positions, 17 fastest laps, and 68 podium finishes.

His 322 race starts remains an all-time record, testament to his remarkable longevity, consistency, and the respect he commanded throughout the paddock. After leaving Formula One, Barrichello returned to Brazil to compete in the Stock Car Brasil series, where he won championships in 2014 and 2022, demonstrating that his competitive fire remained undimmed. He also competed in IndyCar in 2012 with KV Racing Technology. Throughout his career, Barrichello was known for his emotional nature, his deeply religious faith, his commitment to clean racing, and his status as a consummate team player.

Though he never won the World Championship, Rubens Barrichello's record-breaking career, remarkable consistency, and 11 Grand Prix victories secure his place among Formula One's most accomplished and respected drivers.