Rubens Barrichello used his emotional and tearful win at the British Grand Prix to hammer out a message to his critics — there’s more to Ferrari than Michael Schumacher.
It was the Brazilian’s first win of the season and sixth of his career and it came in dramatic circumstances.
He lost pole position, slipped to third place, then eighth before pulling off a series of stunning overtaking moves to take victory from Juan Pablo Montoya, in a Williams, and McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen.
However the win will be overshadowed by the fan who managed to get past security to walk down the Hangar Straight into the path of 20 cars travelling at 200kmh.
The kilted Irishman had placards hanging from his neck which read: ‘Read the Bible — the Bible is right.’
Despite all of that, Barrichello was making his own statement.
”I think I have gone through so many bad times in my career but I have learned from them,” said the Brazilian who, ironically, celebrated his maiden win in 2000 at Hockenheim in similar circumstances when the race was disrupted by a fan on the track.
”We all have bad times in our lives. We just have to believe in ourselves. The other day, someone said to me: ‘How are you going to respond to people being critical of you?’
”I don’t have to respond. I have to believe in myself and it is what I take to bed that counts. I have to respond to my wife and to the guys who pay me.
”That is why I believe so much in my talent and when the time is right you have to grab it with both hands — the way I did today.”
However Barrichello, who is 20 points behind teammate Michael Schumacher in the title race with five rounds left, also knew it was time for him to make his presence felt.
”It is a fantastic feeling to win because I am never down with people thinking ‘Michael this, Michael that.’
”In the last two weeks, people have been saying so many things about first lap crashing Rubens, this and that, so now I hope they shut up. I overtook a lot of people out there.
”It was hard work but entertaining. You would rather win a race like that than being on pole and being in front all of the time.
”In Canada, I lost my nose on the first lap, so people said something. Then I spun on the first lap at Magny-Cours, but I am a trier. I am someone who is going to be behind and be happy.
”Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”
And a late championship charge?
”The championship is always open. If I say ‘OK, I am looking good for the championship,’ people will say Rubens wants to beat Michael. I don’t want that to happen. I just want to enjoy myself.” – Sapa-AFP