Rubens Barrichello, who will set a new record as the longest-serving grand prix driver in formula one history this weekend in Turkey, reveals that the final straw was a radio call during the infamous US grand prix at Indianapolis.
Despite the fact that only six Bridgestone-shod cars were contesting the race, Barrichello recalled to the Brazilian television network TV Globo that he was asked to let his teammate Michael Schumacher pass him — despite the German not being in the hunt for the title that year.
“The team invited me to slow my pace so that Michael could get closer to me and to pass me,” Barrichello, who is now 35 and a Honda driver, said.
“In this moment I knew that the time had come for me to go. That race in the United States was crucial,” he added.
Ferrari team members insisted throughout his tenure between 2000 and 2005 that he was joint number one, but Barrichello now concedes that he was in fact Schumacher’s subordinate.
“When I signed the contract,” he explained, “there was nothing to indicate that the drivers would be treated differently.”
History, however, records several instances of team orders, most famously when the Ferrari drivers were booed at Austria in 2002 after Schumacher inherited Barrichello’s lead at the chequered flag.
Barrichello said: “Inside, I was often angry about it, because everyone claimed that there were no differences between us, but it was an unequal battle.”
Technorati Tags: Rubens Barrichello, Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, Formula One, Auto Racing, United States, Honda Racing F1
F1Wolf wrote,
Hm…
Alonso may be a whiner and not exactly the most popular guy on the grid (outside Spain of course), but he did speak his mind last year in McLaren. As a result he now fights for P8 instead of for race wins … Why did not Rubens do the same while in Ferrari ? If he did not like it, why he stayed for that long ? why did not he complain about his treatment while he was still there ? He could have left for another team where he would have equal status or even number one status … but if he did so, would he have any race wins to his name ?
Now he is happy to be equal with Button but hasn’t scored any points since Brazil 2006 … And his points total from 2 seasons and 4 races since he left Ferrari is 30 points.
He scored 38 points in his worst season in Ferrari, in 2005 …
Link | May 8th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Rage-in-Chief wrote,
“Why did not Rubens do the same while in Ferrari ? If he did not like it, why he stayed for that long ?”
In addition to your valid reasons let me float another one… his lip was zipped because of the very large paycheck he recieved.
Am I close Wolf, what’s my prize for being right?
Link | May 8th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Stew wrote,
It sure is my thought that Rubens should have left earlier, but the interview I saw of him talking about being with Ferrari was all about comfort, financial security for his family etc. This tells me he enjoyed his stay until he finally became resentful.
It’s too bad, but Rubens is a class act in my book.
Link | May 8th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Rage-in-Chief wrote,
It happens to a lot of drivers Stew. Staying someplace for any reason except true enjoyment of your environment eventually leads to resentment and bad feelings.
Link | May 8th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
F1Wolf wrote,
I am not sure how large his paycheck was
Link | May 10th, 2008 at 4:14 pm