Former Formula 1 driver Rubens Barrichello has secured the NASCAR Brazil Series championship after taking the win at the sixth round of the season. His victory at the Autódromo Velo Città sees the 53-year-old find success in his first attempt at the series.
He finished the season with 155 points, four more than Thiago Camilo, who finished in second and 21 points ahead of Galid Osman, who finished third with 134 points.
“Everyone knows how much I love this competition and how fierce I am,” he said. “I feel sorry for Thiago, but there was nothing I could do. I was already coming around the outside, saw his engine failing, and ended up going around the inside.
“We’re friends off the track, but when we close the visors, we fight for our ideals. In the end, the car handled well, and even with Cacá (Bueno, Chevrolet Camaro #0, Team RC) coming strong, I took the win. My heart is in my mouth and I’m very happy.”
The former Ferrari driver, who has 11 grand prix wins to his name from a career that spanned from 1993 to 2011, has proven that age is but a number as he continues his strong racing career.
2025 saw the driver enter his debut season in NASCAR Brazil. His first win came during the third round at Interlagos, where he won on both Saturday and Sunday.
“I’ve been driving here since 1990, when I won the race,” he said at the time. “The tow here [in this championship] has a big impact. Roger Penske couldn’t see the race [because of the 2025 Indy 500 qualifying], otherwise he’d call me to race on a little oval. Stay tuned, Mr. Penske!”
Rubens Barrichello on the grid
Photo by: Andrew Ferraro / Motorsport Images
Barrichello drove in IndyCar after retiring from F1 before moving to stock and endurance racing. In 2014 and 2022, he won the Stock Car Pro titles.
“The truth is that it’s a great joy to be able to fight with all your strength for a victory you’ve always dreamed of, and this weekend it came in double doses,” he continued.
“We saw [Nico] Rosberg, for example, who was a champion and retired. But I really like what I do, it’s a gift, it is with gratitude that I compete, battling younger and experienced drivers. I am a very grateful person for all the situations.
“When Thiago [Marques, NASCAR Brazil CEO] and Maurício [Ferreira, team principal] from Full Time Team showed me the perspective [for NASCAR Brazil], I only had a problem with dates, because there are some rounds that I can’t race. For example, I won’t race the next NASCAR round because I have to be at Le Mans.”
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