MOTORSPORT: Rubens Barrichello excited for S5000

Former Ferrari Formula 1 racer Rubens Barrichello admits he is driving into the unknown as he prepares to spearhead the introduction of S5000 racing in Australia.

The F1 Grand Prix winner is the import ace for the all-new single-seater series, as well as the target for the hot young heroes hoping to claim a world-famous scalp at Sandown Park in just over a week.

Aussie aces John Martin, Will Brown and Tim Macrow are already confirmed in a potential 14-car field for the S5000 opener and will hit the track with serious open-wheeler experience, as well as previous form at Sandown on a track that will be completely new for Barrichello.

“I expect to go there and be competitive. But, honestly, I don’t know what to expect,” Barrichello tolds carsales during a telephone hook-up from his home in Brazil.

“I want to go there and do my best. If that’s enough for a win, I’ll be very happy.

“I’m open-minded. For sure there are lots of talented people there who want to beat Rubens Barrichello.”

The former teammate to world champions Michael Schumacher and Jenson Button is now 47 but still racing regularly in the Stock Car series in Brazil, which is similar to Supercars in Australia, as well as hot-lapping in go-karts and recently running in an S2000 open-wheeler.

He admits he could be rusty after years away from front-line open-wheelers but has been doing his best to prepare for the first trip to Australia since he called time on Formula 1 in 2011 after 11 victories.

His most recent single-seater track time was at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Britain, where he drove the Brawn F1 car he raced in his final year of F1.

“I haven’t driven [an open-wheeler] for seven years, so it’s obviously going to take some laps for me to get used to it,” he said.

“I drove the Brawn a few weeks ago. I drive go-karts this week a lot because I want to be prepared. [But] for me it’s going to be a test in many respects.”

The S5000 connection came through one of Barrichello’s former F1 friends, Australia’s Greg ‘Peewee’ Siddle, as the new series kicks-off as the main support class for the latest leg of the carsales TCR Australia Series at Sandown.

He will not even see the car until a few days before Sandown but says he is fired-up for the challenge.

“I am very excited. I’m always excited. I never thought I would get to my age and still be excited.

“I’m honestly racing more now than I used to race when I was in Formula 1. I’m in Stock Cars, I’m going karting.”

He’s also been doing his homework on S5000.

“I’ve read all about it. I’ve seen all the videos,” said Barrichello.

“It looks fun to drive. It’s probably more power than grip.

“That’s pretty much it. I don’t know what else to say. I just like it.”

Barrichello is still competitive in Stock Cars and believes he will be sharp enough for the S5000 challenge.

“I’m age 47. Winning races in Stock Car like I’m doing, I’m happy in my performance. Life is exceeding expectations.

“I’m having a great time and it’s been fun all the way. New things happening. And it’s a great time for me to get in the car and just have fun.

“You get to a certain age when you do feel competitive, but it’s less pressure than you used to have. So it’s nice.

“I’m definitely not taking the flight to Australia just for the sake of doing something. I want to do it well.”