Barrichello on oval: It´s bloody fast!

Rubens Barrichello was among a dozen drivers who participated in an IndyCar Series test in Texas on Monday. The former F1 pilot, who were the most experienced driver in F1 history with 326 races to his name, switched to IndyCar for the 2012 season, after being dropped by the Williams team.

The Brazilian has so far competed in four races, but all of them has been on street circuits and according to the man himself, nothing could have prepared him for the experience of lapping the oval with over 200 mph.

“It was bloody fast, and very, very much different than anything I have ever tried,” Barrichello said. “I’ve had places that in Formula One that they say, ‘Oh, it’s almost flat and it’s a big corner and it’s a big challenge’. But the walls were never so close. I’m truly excited from what I just had. But my mind is still processing everything that has just happened.”

Rubens Barrichello has racked up 79 points and is in 11th place. Team mate Tony Kanaan is 14th with 71 points.

The engines used in IndyCar are 2.2 Litre V6 turbocharged engines, with a 12,000 rpm limit. They produce between 550-700 bhp. Lotus also supplied as much as four teams, but one of them, Dragon Racing, is now suing Lotus for what they call ‘especially outrageous’ lies. Dragon Racing is demanding £2.84m in damages. Also the majority of the Lotus-powered teams have slammed the supplier for unreliable and underperforming engines. Read more on that here.

Barrichello a huge boost to Indycar

Rubens Barrichello´s recent switch to IZOD IndyCar, after he was dumped by the Williams team for this season in F1, has boosted the hype for the North American open-wheel series to such a degree, that observers compare the importance to that of Nigel Mansell´s move to CART in 1993.

No doubt that the IndyCar series will receive a boost now that Brazilian Rubens Barrichello is driving for the KV Racing Technology team, alongside countryman Tony Kanaan. Following the tragic aftermaths of Dan Wheldon ´s death last year, the series need all the media it can take. And the longest serving member of the F1 family, is looking good in the new overalls.

One observer said that ‘he hadn’t seen such feverish excitement in the pit lane for ages’. Same observer then cmopared the arrival of Barrichello to that of Nigel Mansell in 1993.

As Luc Fradette, writing for auto123.com, says:

“[And] that credibility is exactly what IndyCar is trying to achieve while designing a new car, encouraging new engine builders, changing its sports management strategy and, most importantly, making sure that 2012 features one of the most interesting lineup of drivers in a long time.

“The coming season will no doubt be one of the most exciting in many ways, and I think the presence of Rubens Barrichello represents an important step in the right direction, not only for the reconstruction of IndyCar, but also for its recognition as a major series.”

Watch a video of Rubens testing at Sebring in January.

Barrichello – now in IndyCar

Rubens Barrichello today announced that he will indeed be racing in this years IndyCar series.

The veteran of 322 starts, 68 podiums, 11 victories and more than 320 starts, Rubens Barrichello, has found a new place to continue his racing career. The former F1 driver and longest serving F1 driver in history, will take part in this years IndyCar Series, driving the number 8 BMC | Embrase – KV Racing Technology car. Barrichello was invited to test the car in the beginning of the year, by his friend and countryman Tony Kanaan.

“I’m over the moon,” said Barrichello. “I went in to test at Sebring, we had no expectations. It was just a test. I got to the track and I got a fantastic reception. I felt that I wanted to do it straightaway. I love the sport, and I love the speed, so myself behind the steering wheel, I just feel at home. 

“I love the challenge, and I hope that that’s what’s going to happen.”

Rubens in his new attire

“The car has a dignity of its own, races take place on relatively short oval tracks (short ovals and superspeedways) or on street circuits, there are less electronics than Formula One, the races are faster, the surrounding environment is more relaxed, the cars are all very similar, and the number of modifications that the teams are permitted to make are limited, so it’s the driver that makes the difference,” he said.

“To be a winner in IndyCar you have to be a complete driver because you will have to compete under a whole range of conditions and in various configurations.

“With all my experience I will start as a rookie, but I think I will get better as the year progresses. My main thing is to be an addition to KV Racing Technology. They have been doing very well and Tony brought the team to a different level last year, so I hope with my contribution we can build on this and take the team to another level. I am extremely happy and have a big smile on my face.”

Barrichello close to IndyCar deal

Rubens Barrichello is reportedly a day away from announcing that he will start a new rcaing career in IndyCar.

According to Estado de Sao Paolo newspaper, the former F1 pilot and most experienced driver in F1 history, has secured the funds that will make it possible for him to race in the 2012 IndyCar championship. The newspaper said that the company who will funds some of the sponsorship package for Rubens, Brasil Maquinas, is a company specializing in renting out heavy construction equipment. The deal is reported to be worth $3m.

Barrichello will be driving for KV Racing Technology.

 

IndyCar is real, says Barrichello

After losing his seat at Williams, and effectively ending his record 19 year run in F1, the longest in history, Rubens Barrichello is looking to start a new career in IndyCar.

The Brazilian tested a car for KV Racing in the beginning of February, and after the two day test was finished, the times were very impressive and competitive. Since then Barrichello has been working hard to find sponsors, so he can turn a new leaf in his racing career.

“It would have to be at the beginning of March,” the 39-year-old told GPUpdate.net. “I went to the test with no expectations, really. I really wanted to test the car, have fun and give the team the best ideas for the future.

“We had a good thing going on and at the end of the test they asked me if I wanted to take part in the Championship.

“I always enjoy being with my family but, honestly, I am eager to get back in a racing car; I like the team and they are on their way up.”

According to Barrichello, there are a lot of people working hard to find the money needed so he can race this season, but he believes that there are only a few minor details needed to be sorted before a deal is in place.

“The car was available for someone who arrived with the cash to race,” Barrichello said. “Fortunately, the situation is different with me, everybody is in a hurry to try to find the money.

“It’s still unknown if it’s going to happen. You have to remember that it all happened in the last minute. There are still minor details that need to be resolved.”

Barrichello once promised his wife that he would never compete on oval tracks, and after the fatal accident of Dan Wheldon last year, the fear is very present.

“Yeah, the (fear) exists,” he said. “I’ve been talking a lot with my wife. The decision has to be made now.”

Rubens´ wife, Silvana, knows he is a born and true racer, and she has lived with the constant fear since they met.

“I saw the look in her eyes and I could hear her saying something along the lines: ‘Oh no, it’s going to start all over again,”‘ he said.

He said he already has the support from his two young sons.

“One of them already wants to know which number I’ll be using and the other wants to know the color of the car,” Barrichello said.

The Brazilian, who will turn 40 in May, said it’s still an option to participate only on the road and street circuits.

“The possibility still exists,” he said. “But I don’t think I would feel good to be back in Brazil watching these races from TV. I would feel better being there, taking the risk and having fun.”

“It would be a great challenge,” Barrichello said. “I’ve been racing 19 years in F1, but this would be something I would have to do without any experience. It would be fascinating.”

Barrichello will take part of his second test next week.

News Round-up 2/4

Rubens Barrichello´s career is over in F1. The longest serving driver in history, with nineteen straight seasons, 326 races and the best jolly smile in the paddock, didn´t manage to say a proper goodbye to his many fans around the world, when the final race was over last season. Instead the 39 year-old Brazilian insisted that he shouldn´t worry, that he had to be first in line for one of the seats at Williams, at least, or some other team. Perhaps Lotus.

But they signed Kimi Raikkonen and suddenly it looked like the smile on his face was beginning to fade. Rubens said he wouldn´t say goodbye, because we haven´t seen the last of him, and I would hate to never see him race again, so this week he tested an IndyCar for KV Racing, a test set up by close friend Tony Kanaan. Barrichello has previously ruled out racing on oval tracks, a promise he made to his wife years ago, but it doesn´t rule out a switch to IndyCar, which also races on street circuits.

“By the time he gets out of the car he’ll have a pretty good idea what he wants to do,” countryman Kanaan said. “Right now, we don’t have anyone signed for the other two cars. You can tell by his face he’s having a lot of fun.” That was Tuesday, and though there remains no official timing of Rubens´ times, according to Kanaan, he has nothing to be ashamed of. The times were said to be very competitive, in fact matching those of Kanaan, so a move is not entirely out of the question.

IndyCar chief executive, Randy Bernard said: “He’s a champion, a driver who would be a tremendous addition to a series. Indycar would love to have him.”

“If there is a transition, I want him to know that we’re here to help him.”

Rubens to IndyCar?

A report indicates that Rubens Barrichello will test an IndyCar next week.

Ousted former F1 veteran, Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, did not manage to secure a 20th season in F1, though he does hold the record for most seasons and races. Instead he is now rumoured to be testing out a new-specification DW12 IndyCar sometime next week, perhaps as soon as Monday or Tuesday, on the Florida short course.

Tony Kanaan, a good friend of Barrichello, last week tweeted a picture of the Chevrolet powered KV Racing Team car he is racing this year, with the comment “It’s ready for you my friend. Come on in!”

Also last week, Rubens said he promised his wife that he would never race on ovals, indicating that a move to American series like IndyCar is out of the question, however he could contend street circuits only. For now a two-day testing session is planned, according to the report by Associated Press. As one website reports, there are plenty of places for Barrichello to go, as test driver for F1 teams, perhaps even as development driver for the Williams team.

Senna signs with Williams

It´s what everybody is talking about these days, and rightfully so. Who will be filling the vacant seat at Williams?

First it looked like Rubens Barrichello was in line to stay with Williams and extend his career into a record-breaking 20th season, but then other drivers found their way to the Williams team shortlist. Adrian Sutil was named, then he dropped out. Or did he? He ran into a bit of trouble for his involvement in a bar brawl, call it a nightclub and put diamants on their fingers, it´s still a bar brawl, so his future suddenly looked gloomy.

Then Vitaly Petrov appeared as a candidate, though my sources indicate that he is on his way to HRT, which I find puzzling, to say the least. The latest I have on that, is that Tonio Liuzzi, everones´favourite backmarker, is staying, partnering Pedro de la Rosa.

Several candidates emerged, some dropped out again from the race, but Bruno Senna has stayed on. And it now appears like he has secured as much as $15 million in sponsorship money, which of course leaves the Williams team with two pay-drivers and no real captain. Pastor Maldonado is still too rookie-ish to take charge and lead the team, and Senna? Well, I think he has something, but though his uncle managed to go from Toleman to the best team in a few short years, the times are different. I just can´t see Senna being  a success for Williams, at Williams.

2012 will be a make or break season for Senna. The news you see above is not confirmed, but my sources tells me it´s safe to write it. If it´s true, then good. It will end months of speculation and the drivers who lost out, can finally get on with their lives, looking at other places, perhaps as test and reserve drivers or perhaps other series. If it´s not true, then I really cannot see who else could have signed.