Rubens Barrichello began his Formula1 career with the Jordan team, where he stayed for four years with some success. His move to Stewart in 1997 allowed him to re-build his confidence, which had taken a battering after two and a half years of partnering Eddie Irvine at Jordan, and produced his second most successful season to date - 1999, when he managed to garner 21 championship points and win the drive at Ferrari.

Barrichello's new role at Ferrari was greeted with great joy by his legions of Brazilian fans and he admitted to shedding a few tears on seeing his name on the red car. He appeared to settle in quickly with the team, after a few teething problems, and any doubts as to his popularity with the outfit were soon dispelled in Germany, where he took his maiden Formula1 win.

A stunning drive from 18th on the grid, following Michael Schumacher's expulsion from the race after a first-corner collision, was greeted with great joy in the Ferrari garage, and Barrichello immediately dedicated it to his great friend, the late Ayrton Senna. It also confirmed him as one of the best Formula1 drivers in wet conditions, following his pole-winning performance at a drenched British GP qualifying session earlier in the year.

Barrichello now admits to anxieties over trying to beat Michael Schumacher early on in 2000, but after Monte Carlo he decided to relax and just drive as well as he possibly could. This was followed by his win in Germany, and so the Brazilian has decided to employ this more relaxed attitude in an effort to shine in 2001.