What happened to F1 legend Rubens Barrichello?

Rubens Barrichello is a certified motorsport legend. The former Formula 1 driver made motorsport history by achieving two second-place championship finishes and leaving an enduring legacy over his remarkable 19-season career in the series.

He took part in 326 Grand Prix races, achieving 14 pole positions and 68 podiums, as documented by the Formula 1 website.

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

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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).

After leaving Formula 1, Rubens 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 shared that he turned to therapy, much like his son Eduardo, to better manage the balance between his professional and family life. According to the Brazilian website UOL, therapy helped him overcome the instinct to act as a "big daddy" on the track, allowing him to cultivate healthier relationships both on and off the circuit.

Speaking about this challenge, 'Rubinho' explained that it is not easy to treat an opponent who clashed with his son in a neutral manner: "How can I walk past him and pretend that nothing happened? The desire to tell him to go to hell is enormous," he joked in an interview with UOL.

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

Rubens Barrichello has also ventured into presenting during his career. He became part of the team for 'Acelerados', a motorsports-focused program originally created for YouTube. The show gained popularity and was eventually broadcast on a Brazilian television network, showcasing his charisma and deep knowledge of racing 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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