OPR: Barrichello keeping in shape during break


By Greig Murray
August 1 2002

After a tough German Grand Prix in which he eventually came home fourth, picking up a few more valuable championship points, Rubens Barrichello headed home for Brazil. With a three week break Barrichello is going to keep in shape.

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“It was a difficult weekend,” commented Rubens Barrichello. “I guess qualifying went reasonably well and apart from a few mishaps, I could have done even better. But the race itself was not that good.” Germany was the first race since Monaco, when both he and Michael had the use of a spare car, that Barrichello had priority use of the spare and it proved a good decision as he had to use it for the race. “Just before I joined the grid, we were concerned about the operation of the gearbox, which meant I had to take the spare car and it proved very suitable,” recalled the Brazilian. “Unfortunately, little things went wrong during the race. It was the first time I had raced with the seat fitted to the T-car and my back started to feel a bit sore. Also my water bottle did not work properly so I could not drink and my brake pedal got a little long, so all in all, I felt I could not push as hard as I wanted during the race. I had to look after the tyres, so it was a difficult afternoon.”

Barrichello agrees with Ferrari’s Technical Director Ross Brawn, that Germany was one of the hardest races of the year for the team. “I guess there are going to be some circuits which are going to favour one team more than another, but from what we had seen as far back as the Nurburgring, Williams has made a step forward,” suggested Rubens. “They certainly showed well in Hockenheim, where it was hot which are the conditions they like. We definitely have a good package, but there will be some circuits which will suit them better in racing conditions and some that will suit us.”

While nipping home to Switzerland after a race in Europe is easy for his team-mate Michael Schumacher, a trip to Brazil is more complicated for Barrichello, because of the long flight and the potential for jet lag. So the Paulista is planning to make the most of the summer break. “I am doing all the things that need to be done not having been home for almost four months,” he explained. “I am catching up, going to the dentist and I will be visiting the doctor to have some treatment on my back after it got a bit sore in Germany, although it is absolutely nothing serious. Like the cars, I am having a full mechanical service!”

“It’s not that hot here now because it is winter in Brazil. It’s “only” 19 degrees and I am even wearing a sweater! But I am going to have a good time and rest a bit and catch up with old friends. I don’t plan to do much except keep in shape for the rest of the year, which is going to be very tough. That is all I will be concentrating on.”

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