Rubens Barrichello went home, won, and walked off with a championship. At 53, the former Ferrari stalwart clinched the NASCAR Brazil Series title with victory in the sixth round of the 2025 season in São Paulo, sealing the crown in his rookie year in the category.
It’s a remarkable second act for one of F1’s most familiar names. Barrichello—Michael Schumacher’s teammate through Ferrari’s early‑2000s juggernaut—finished runner-up in the World Championship in 2002 and 2004, collected 11 grand prix wins, and took his last F1 victory at Monza in 2009 with Brawn GP alongside eventual champion Jenson Button. His F1 tenure ended abruptly after 2011 when Williams replaced him with compatriot Bruno Senna, but “retired” has never really applied to Rubens.
Since then he’s kept racing sharp: a full IndyCar season in 2012, a Le Mans cameo in 2017, and the 2022 Stock Car Pro Series title. Now he’s added NASCAR Brazil to the trophy cabinet, and he didn’t back into it. Barrichello won twice at Interlagos in round three, added another triumph at Cascavel last month, and closed the deal at Velo Città. The latest win moved him to 180 points, 32 clear of Thiago Camilo. “My heart is in my mouth and I’m very happy,” he said, sounding every bit the fired‑up rookie rather than a 30‑year veteran.
The title lands seven years after a scare that could’ve changed everything. In 2018, Barrichello was rushed to hospital with a severe headache and later underwent surgery to remove a benign tumour on the left side of his neck. He’s spoken candidly about how close it was; the recovery and the return to racing only burnished his reputation for resilience.
He’ll head to the NASCAR Awards later this year to be honoured alongside champions from the U.S. series—another stage, another ovation for a driver who’s never been short on public affection. And if you’re wondering whether the F1 itch ever truly goes away, Barrichello offered a cheeky reminder on F1’s Beyond The Grid last year. Asked about a comeback, he joked he’d still be “ready” if Fernando Alonso called him up at Aston Martin.
For now, the chapter belongs to Brazil: a hometown win, a fresh title, and a career that keeps finding ways to surprise. Rubinho’s still Rubinho—only now, he’s a NASCAR champion too.
