Rubens Barrichello of Ferrari achieved his first win in Formula One on a wet track in Hockenheim, Germany and he dedicated his win to Aryton Senna, an F1 legend.
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It took him 124 races to finally achieve his dream. In 1994, he had suffered a serious accident while on practice in Imola which left him unconscious. It was in that same race and circuit that his fellow Brazilian and F1 legend Aryton Senna tragically lost his life. For years, he was been guided by Senna in F1 and with his death, he had lost his mentor. Yet, in 2000, during the German Grand Prix, he was in 18th position and was in no way in contention for points, let alone a win.
But, in the pouring rain, Ruben Barrichello from Sao Paulo put in one of the greatest performances in the history of Formula One as he secured his first major win. The emotions and the praises that he got from commentators, teammates made it one of the most popular wins in the history of the sport.
The 2000 Formula One season had seen Michael Schumacher dominate the first six races of the season. The German had a 22-point lead but a series of retirements in Monaco, France and Austria saw his lead getting erased. Rubens Barrichello, on the other hand, had joined Ferrari from the Stewart team in 1999. Barichello had impressed in the Canadian Grand Prix as he gave Ferrari a superb one-two. In Austria, he finished in the podium but a win eluded him.
In the German Grand Prix held at the Hockenheim circuit, Barrichello’s car suffered from oil-leak issues. He was forced to use the team’s spare car and he managed to qualify only in the 18th position. His team-mate Michael Schumacher qualified in second behind David Coulthard of the McLaren.
During the race, Michael Schumacher’s woes continued as Giancarlo Fisichella crashed into him. The German crashed into the barriers at turn one and his race had once again ended prematurely. However, Barrichello made the best start of the race, jumping from 18th to 10th after the end of the first lap. However, there would be more drama in store.
On lap four, Jos Verstappen locked up his tyres to avoid a collision with Herbert. This allowed Barrichello to pass Verstappen for sixth position and into the points. Herbert lost fifth position to Barrichello on lap six with Frentzen continuing to move up the field by passing Ralf Schumacher. Barrichello began setting consecutive fastest laps as he closed the gap to de la Rosa.
On lap 25, a man appeared beside the barriers of the circuit on the straight heading towards turn two. He ran across the track to avoid being caught by marshals. The incident prompted the deployment of the safety car. McLaren called in Hakkinen to the pit lane on lap 27 and Coulthard remained out on worn tyres. Coulthard pitted on lap 28 and emerged in sixth place. Racing resumed on lap 29 when the safety car pulled into the pit lane.
But, on lap 31, Jean Alesi collided with Pedro Diniz and the safety car was once again deployed as carbon fibre was scattered across the grass. There was a further twist in the tail with rain starting to fall after lap 33. All drivers, apart from Barrichello, Coulthard, Heinz Harald Frentzen and Zonta, pitted for wet tyres. Jacques Villeneuve spun after minor contact with teammate Ricardo Zonta but managed to continue.
Barrichello led the race as the rain got heavier. Ferrari made a decision to let the Brazilian stay out on the track on dry tyres. At the start of the final lap, Barrichello led Coulthard by 11.5 seconds. However, he held his own and the Brazilian crossed the line for his first win in Formula One.
The celebrations were a real tear-jerker. Barrichello could not hide his emotions and he wept with joy. Ferrari’s mechanics and team principles were incredibly happy. Michael Schumacher watched from the paddock and cheered his team-mate on. When Barrichello came into the parking, he congratulated Barrichello. Hakkinen and Coulthard both lifted Barrichello and cheered him.
In the podium, when the Brazilian national anthem was being played, Barrichello could not stop his tears. It was the longest anyone had to wait for a maiden F1 win. Holding the Brazilian flag, his tears symbolised the desire to win a F1 race. It was a first win by a Brazilian driver in F1 since Aryton Senna. Barrichello drove for Ferrari from 2000 to 2005, as Michael Schumacher’s teammate, finishing as championship runner-up in 2002 and 2004, and third in 2001, while contributing to five constructors’ titles for the team. Barrichello would end up winning a total of 16 races with 10 pole positions.
For all of Barrichello’s achievements, his win in Germany is etched in the memory of Formula One’s greatest moments.
