Barrichello: “One of Schumacher's World Championships should have been mine”

Five seasons in Ferrari, by 2000 to 2005, a cumbersome teammate, lots of controversy and a book of revelations that never came out. Ruben Barrichello, Formula 1 officially closed, has returned to shoot to zero about his experience in Red, this time claiming a World title from Michael Schumacher, stating how the German should have six titles and not the seven he won. The Brazilian, winner of the 2014 Stock Car championship, had the misfortune of racing for Ferrari in the very seasons in which Schumacher literally dominated Formula 1, with his five repeat World Championships.

In those years, Jean Todt had initiated a policy at Ferrari that, with hindsight, we can define as successful. The stable had an undisputed number 1, around which the entire team moved: “Of Schumacher's seven titles, one should have been mine – commented the Brazilian driver, giving the example of what happened in Austria, in 2002 – I hadn't no intention of letting it pass but I received a radio communication from Ferrari that made me think. That's why I lifted the gas pedal."

The 42-year-old, who holds the record for the driver with the most Formula 1 GPs contested (320), was often criticized right in Brazil for having always accepted team orders coming from the Red Team: “That doesn't interest me, it only annoys me when my family ends up in the middle of these discussions – insisted Barrichello – Today I am the reigning Stock Car Champion , I'm doing That I like and I'm showing Brazil that I'm still a good driver,” he concluded.

Who knows if Schumacher had found himself in another position, if Barrichello had moved the same accusations.

Eleonora Ottonello
@lapisinha