Formula 1
Barrichello not fazed by Massa
Rubens Barrichello is not fazed by the presence of young compatriot Felipe Massa as test driver at Ferrari and thinks he deserves the position. Before Massa arrived at Ferrari, it had been long since rumoured that the team had an interest in him for ...
Published: Apr 3, 2003, 10:26 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Rubens Barrichello is not fazed by the presence of young compatriot Felipe Massa as test driver at Ferrari and thinks he deserves the position. Before Massa arrived at Ferrari, it had been long since rumoured that the team had an interest in him for the future, possibly to replace Barrichello.
Whether or not that will happen is unknown but Barrichello professes to be unconcerned about the possibility and has always been a keen supporter of the younger man.
Rubens Barrichello.
Photo by Brousseau Photo.
"I think he (Massa) should be driving this year because he did a fantastic job last year," said Barrichello, according to Sporting Life. "But I think he has to learn whatever he can from this year or the years he is with Ferrari with Michael (Schumacher) and myself, because it is a chance to get experience and more mileage. I think by enjoying the time now he is going to have a bright future. If it is for him to drive for Ferrari in the future then I wish him well."
The Brazilian drivers in Formula One are on good terms and Barrichello recalled his debut in South Africa, at the age of 20, when Ayrton Senna took the trouble to stop and say hello: "He was walking through the paddock with a lot of people following him but he stopped in my pit area just to ask where I was. He was such an important person, but he was there to support me. By sticking together we live life with much more fun."
Barrichello's contract with Ferrari expires at the end of 2004 but he is not concerning himself with worrying about the future: "There is no reason to think that in 2004 things have finished and I will have to look for a new job," he said. "I am still quite young and even with 10 years of racing I don't think I am at my peak yet. I am a guy who has learned to live in the present so until the time comes you don't think about the future. It's too far away."
Rubens scored a second place finish in Malaysia and is currently on 8 points in the Driver's standings, ahead of Schumacher, and is looking forward to his home race in Brazil this weekend. He has failed to finish the Interlagos race for the past eight years and hopes to make amends this time.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Ferrari try to improve the odds
Next article Montoya doubts Michael's Brazil chances
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Rubens Barrichello
Which modern Formula 1 driver raced for the most teams?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Which modern Formula 1 driver raced for the most teams?
How ex-F1 racer Rubens Barrichello is still winning races at 52
Formula 1
Formula 1
Emilia Romagna GP
How ex-F1 racer Rubens Barrichello is still winning races at 52
Why illustrious racing dads aren't always an advantage for F1 hopefuls
FIA F3
FIA F3
Why illustrious racing dads aren't always an advantage for F1 hopefuls
More from
Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton: Kimi Antonelli “deserves to be the champion”
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
Lewis Hamilton: Kimi Antonelli “deserves to be the champion”
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
9 h
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
Latest news
F1 United States GP live commentary and updates - FP1
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
35 min
F1 United States GP live commentary and updates - FP1
Max Papis announces departure as IndyCar chief steward
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 49 min
Max Papis announces departure as IndyCar chief steward
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | Asia Race 2: Victory for Li/Sherlock, but Tregurtha crowned champion over Sceats/Wisniewski
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
1 h
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | Asia Race 2: Victory for Li/Sherlock, but Tregurtha crowned champion over Sceats/Wisniewski
Rackley W.A.R. to immediately shut down NASCAR Truck Series team
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Talladega
1 h
Rackley W.A.R. to immediately shut down NASCAR Truck Series team
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe