The former Ferrari driver has highlighted a new wave of young Brazilian talent, starting with Gabriel Bortoleto and freshly crowned Formula 3 champion Rafael Camara.
The last Brazilian winner
Twice runner-up in the world championship during Ferrari’s golden era between 2000 and 2004—when the Scuderia won consecutive Constructors’ and Drivers’ titles with Michael Schumacher—Rubens Barrichello remains to this day the last Brazilian driver to have won a Formula 1 Grand Prix. At Monza in 2009, Rubinho climbed to the top step of the podium for the eleventh and final time in his career, equalling the tally of race victories achieved by Felipe Massa.
While the absolute records of Brazilian drivers belong to the late Ayrton Senna, Barrichello still managed to establish himself by the end of his long F1 career, despite competing against strong compatriots such as Massa. Yet for more than fifteen years, Brazil has suffered a drought of victories and has not celebrated any major success on the Formula 1 stage. However, according to Barrichello, this situation may soon come to an end.
From Bortoleto to Camara
In an interview with Pit Lane Chronicle, the former Ferrari driver focused on the emerging talent of the new Brazilian generation. One of them has already reached Formula 1 after securing back-to-back championship titles in Formula 3 and Formula 2: Gabriel Bortoleto. The Sauber driver, who former Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone once suggested could even be the ideal replacement for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, has also impressed Barrichello. “He has great potential,” said the 58-year-old Brazilian. “He is doing really well: he seizes opportunities and takes the time he needs. It’s beautiful to watch. Obviously, it feels strange to think that I was the last Brazilian winner. It has been a very long time.”
Rubens Barrichello also praised another rising star from his country, Rafael Camara, who has just mathematically secured the Formula 3 title in the final round of the season and is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy. “He is also very talented, and I hope he makes it to Formula 1 soon. I’m a fan of his, he is a great driver,” Rubens Barrichello explained.
The main challenges
However, Rubens Barrichello admitted that the biggest obstacle for Brazilian drivers continues to be financial support. “Bortoleto is doing great in Formula 1 and we have many other promising drivers, but money remains the key issue. Brazil is not as strong financially as we sometimes think. That is a problem. At the same time, we see many young talents racing in karting circuits. The desire to reach the pinnacle of motorsport is still there. It is only a matter of time before we have more Brazilian drivers in Formula 1.”
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