IndyCar: Barrichello appreciates the experience

Hat with a logo in his image, white jumpsuit, blank sponsor helmet? At 9:45 a.m., Monday January 30, while Tony Kanaan was performing a shakedown of the KV Racing Technology Chevrolet-powered Dallara DW12, Rubens Barrichello spoke with Jimmy Vasser, team boss and former driver? experience? of Indy formula. A few minutes later, the Grand Prix veteran F1, 332 departures on the clock, discovered a new universe. That of a car d?IndyCar. Six hours later, after completing 94 laps of the “2,7 kilometer” configuration of the Sebring circuit, the Brazilian looked like a great day. “ I'm like a child, he confided when he got out of the car. It was a good and productive day with the different set-ups we reviewed. Even though I have 33 years of flying experience, I am a “rookie” in this job. During the morning, I just held on to the car because I didn't want it to end up in the wall. It’s a very different machine than what I’m used to riding, but I felt a good feeling. »

Enough to give him ideas, now that any prospect of continuing in F1 seems to be fading away. This test is therefore taken seriously, the stress going with it. “ If I had come just for fun, it wouldn?t have been a problem. I still have so much passion for speed, I'm still young in my head, and I feel like I'm constantly improving. For the moment I am happy and I like what I see. I have been a fan of Indy for a long time. There is a good atmosphere and these are great races.. “, he concluded. Since he learned of his replacement by Bruno Senna in F1 at Williams, Barrichello is increasingly eyeing the United States. His popularity and his sympathy rating would be a valuable reinforcement for IndyCar, in particular for the Brazilian meeting in Sao Paulo (April 29) where his presence could have positive consequences on the attendance of the stands?