Barrichello waved goodbye to Ferrari and Bridgestone

Rubens Barrichello waved goodbye to Ferrari and Bridgestone after six memorable years when he finished his final race for the team at the Chinese Grand Prix last weekend. Barrichello joined Ferrari in 2000 and helped them to five consecutive Constructors' World Championships, winning nine times during that period while racing alongside Michael Schumacher.

Next year, the Brazilian will join BAR Honda, but will have a final run in a Ferrari when he takes his family out in the team's three seater Formula One car at the end of October.
The Chinese Grand Prix provided an emotional end to Barrichello's time in Italy.
Rubens Barrichello "It has been a nice six years, but I am not too sad because in life you move on. There have been many memories and many successes, but this is the end and as much as I have enjoyed this team I am looking forward to next season too."

Barrichello's first pole position for the Ferrari Team came in the first year witht the team, 2000, at the British Grand Prix, and his first victory came just seven races later in Germany, after he started 18th on the grid. The Brazilian claimed a total of 11 pole positions for Ferrari, including an emotional one on the team's home ground in Italy in 2004 and two in his Brazilian homeland, in 2003 and 2004.
He won nine times, notching up successes at the European, Hungarian, Italian and United States races in 2002, the British and Japanese Grand Prix in 2003 and the Italian and Chinese races in 2004. He secured 58 podium finishes for Ferrari, but its both his on and off-track success that count for most in his memories.
"Probably the wins have been the best things and also the things that I think I conquered inside Ferrari, which was initially quite a tough business. I think later I had a lot of respect and recognition and that was one of the best things I had in Ferrari. Six years, it has been up and down and I had a good six years. It has been fun being a team-mate to Michael but it has been difficult too."

Schumacher led the tributes to Barrichello, but insisted the pair will still meet up to enjoy each others' company when they are racing for different teams in 2006.
Michael Schumacher We have had a successful time together as team-mates. It has been a good time together, but I don't feel like he has gone. I will just have a different feeling as we won't be working together anymore. I am sure I will see him at all the parties we will be going to and we will still have fun privately and that sometimes counts more maybe than working next to each other."

Schumacher now is thinking ahead to next season, when he will team up with young Brazilian Felipe Massa.
"I look forward to having a successful time with Felipe and am optimistic for next year."