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Barrichello to take his F1 experience to IndyCar
Source: Agencies |
March 3, 2012, Saturday
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RUBENS Barrichello, the most experienced driver in Formula One, will become an IndyCar rookie after joining KV Racing Technology on Thursday to race in the American open-wheel series.
Barrichello, who spent 19 seasons in F1 and started 322 races, will make his IndyCar debut on March 25 at the series opener on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, with the team's other drivers, fellow Brazilian Tony Kanaan and Venezuelan EJ Viso.
"I'm over the moon," said Barrichello on a conference call to announce his move to IndyCar. "I felt I wanted to do this straight away. When you love what you do, you want to search for new things. You have an open mind.
"With all my experience I will start as a rookie, but I think I will get better as the year progresses."
The 39-year-old Barrichello began racing in F1 in 1993, the year before his friend and mentor Ayrton Senna was killed in a crash at Imola, and has competed for Jordan, Stewart, Ferrari, Honda, Brawn and Williams recording 11 career wins and 68 podium finishes.
But for all his experience, Barrichello has never tested himself on the IndyCar's infamous ovals, something he promised his wife he would never do.
Racing on ovals requires unique skills and a special bravery as cars stampede around the circuit wheel-to-wheel at speeds of more than 320 kph.
Fans and drivers were reminded of those extreme dangers last November, when Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon was killed in crash at the series finale on Las Vegas Speedway's high-speed oval.
"One day we were watching an oval race and she (Barrichello's wife) looked at me and, said, 'you're never going to do this, are you?'," recalled Barrichello. "I said, 'well I don't plan to because I will be racing Formula One forever and then probably stop'."
"But in the back of my mind, I always wanted to know what is the experience. What goes through the mind of the driver at such a speed."
Barrichello and his children convinced his wife to give IndyCar a chance and the Brazilian will contest all 16 races on the series calendar, including ovals and the Indianapolis 500 on May 27.
Barrichello, who spent 19 seasons in F1 and started 322 races, will make his IndyCar debut on March 25 at the series opener on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, with the team's other drivers, fellow Brazilian Tony Kanaan and Venezuelan EJ Viso.
"I'm over the moon," said Barrichello on a conference call to announce his move to IndyCar. "I felt I wanted to do this straight away. When you love what you do, you want to search for new things. You have an open mind.
"With all my experience I will start as a rookie, but I think I will get better as the year progresses."
The 39-year-old Barrichello began racing in F1 in 1993, the year before his friend and mentor Ayrton Senna was killed in a crash at Imola, and has competed for Jordan, Stewart, Ferrari, Honda, Brawn and Williams recording 11 career wins and 68 podium finishes.
But for all his experience, Barrichello has never tested himself on the IndyCar's infamous ovals, something he promised his wife he would never do.
Racing on ovals requires unique skills and a special bravery as cars stampede around the circuit wheel-to-wheel at speeds of more than 320 kph.
Fans and drivers were reminded of those extreme dangers last November, when Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon was killed in crash at the series finale on Las Vegas Speedway's high-speed oval.
"One day we were watching an oval race and she (Barrichello's wife) looked at me and, said, 'you're never going to do this, are you?'," recalled Barrichello. "I said, 'well I don't plan to because I will be racing Formula One forever and then probably stop'."
"But in the back of my mind, I always wanted to know what is the experience. What goes through the mind of the driver at such a speed."
Barrichello and his children convinced his wife to give IndyCar a chance and the Brazilian will contest all 16 races on the series calendar, including ovals and the Indianapolis 500 on May 27.
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