Formula One news

Barrichello: Massa is my inspiration

Rubens Barrichello has revealed the secret to his excellent form recently. It would appear that Rubens has been seeking advice from the sidelined Felipe Massa over the past few races. Massa has been out of contention since his accident in Hungary, ironically caused by a spring from the back of Barrichello's Brawn.

"I went to his house before Valencia and he explained to me how to deal with that track, where he dominated last year, and then I won," Barrichello told Italy's Gazetta dello Sport. "He also dominated in Singapore so I wanted him to tell me how he did that too!"

Barrichello's Monza win last Sunday was his second of 2009

Rubens is currently 14 points adrift of team-mate and championship rival Jenson Button but hopes that four successive wins in the run up to the end of the season will help him close the gap. Along with this, the improving performances of Lewis Hamilton's McLaren and Kimi Räikkönen's Ferrari, Rubens could hope to place cars between himself and Button to possibly overhaul the Briton. 

Rubens also explained that he will continue to utilise the advice given by compatriot Massa and will continue to prepare for races in a more appropriate manner, with the hope of avoiding the pitfalls of last year. "I will get there more prepared this year," he added. "They have changed some corners, the track has been re-surfaced and all of those awful bumps should be gone - I wear contact lenses and I had a headache whenever I stepped out of the car! Now I know what to expect."

more news

• 29 Nov.
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  • Massa and Schumacher triumph in karting race
  • Schumacher wins Saturday Challenge of the Stars
• 28 Nov.
  • Lola ready to enter Formula 1
  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming

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