What happened to F1 legend Rubens Barrichello?

Rubens Barrichello’s Formula 1 journey was defined not by dominance, but by passion, resilience, and loyalty. With 322 Grand Prix starts and a reputation as the ultimate team player, the Brazilian carved a lasting legacy in motorsport, proving that greatness is about more than just victories.

For many fans, he will be remembered as Michael Schumacher's teammate, but there was so much more to Barrichello than this.

He took part in 326 Grand Prix races, achieving 14 pole positions and 68 podiums during his near-two decade long career, as documented by the Formula 1 website.

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His resume also includes 851 laps led and 17 fastest laps.

In addition to his impressive statistics, the Brazilian driver represented some of the most iconic teams in Formula 1. He began with Jordan (1993–1996), moved to Stewart (1997–1999), raced for Ferrari during their dominant years (2000–2005), followed by Honda (2006–2008), the title-winning Brawn GP team (2009), and concluded his career with Williams (2010–2011).

However, when talking about Rubens Barrichello it's impossible to not mention the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix, one of the most controversial moments in F1 history. Leading the race, Barrichello was ordered by Ferrari to let Schumacher pass on the final lap.

Despite being in control, Barrichello followed the team order, allowing Schumacher to take the win. The crowd booed the decision, deeming it unfair, and it sparked widespread outrage over the use of team orders in Formula 1.

After leaving Formula 1, Barrichello transitioned to IndyCar on March 1, 2012, joining KV Racing, a team co-owned by his longtime friend and fellow Brazilian racer, Tony Kanaan.

In the Indianapolis 500, he finished 11th, a place that would see him win the title of Rookie of the Year – at the age of 40 – in 2012, as Autosport reported.

Today he races alongside one of his sons, Eduardo Barrichello.

Barrichello has spoken about the issues navigating this role, and revealed he turned to therapy to better manage the balance between his professional and family life. According to the Brazilian website UOL, therapy helped him move past the instinct to act as a "big daddy" on the track, enabling him to build healthier relationships both on and off the circuit.

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Speaking about the challenge, 'Rubinho' admitted that it wasn’t easy to treat an opponent who had clashed with his son in a neutral way. "How can I walk past him and pretend nothing happened? The urge to tell him to go to hell is huge," he joked in an interview with UOL.

Eight years later, at the age of 50, he became a two-time champion in the decisive race at Interlagos.

Barrichello has also made a successful foray into presenting during his career. Also in 2014, he joined 'Acelerados', a motorsports-focused program originally created for YouTube. The show gained a strong following and was eventually picked up by a Brazilian television network, where Barrichello's charisma and deep knowledge of racing shone, showcasing his talents beyond the driver's seat.

In May 2024, Barrichello took on the role of Non-Executive Director for Latin America at iGaming company SOFTSWISS. According to the company's founder, Ivan Montik, Barrichello’s experience in motorsport reflects his natural ability to work well with others and lead teams, skills that would be key in driving the company's growth in Latin America.

Barrichello’s dedication to motorsports reflects his boundless passion for the sport. Even after decades of success, he remains active and involved, proving that racing is an essential part of his life.

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