Tribute to Rubens Barrichello

It appears that this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix could be the last for the effervescent Brazilian driver, Rubens Barrichello. Rubinho, as he is called by his own countrymen, may be out of a drive next season with signs that the Williams team are not likely to retain the veteran's services for 2012.

If that is the case, Rubinho's F1 career which dates to as far back as 1993 is over. It's a shame though that with Williams enduring its worst season in living memory at the back of the grid, Rubinho is unlikely to bow out in a blaze of glory - that along with the fact that Rubinho has never done well in his home grand prix.

If that is the case and Rubinho finishes outside of the top ten in the Brazilian Grand Prix, Rubinho would retire as F1's most experienced driver having competed in 326 Grand Prix, started in 322 of them and picked up 658 points, 68 podiums, 17 fastest laps, 14 pole positions & 11 wins.

He may not have won the championship, but Rubinho would still rank up there as one of F1's most successful drivers. But what is for certain is that Rubinho will bow out as one of F1's most popular and respected participants ever.

His F1 career began like most with a small team; a small but emerging team. Eddie Jordan's cash-strapped team took on the British F3 champion and in his third race in 1993 on a wet Donington Park track, Rubinho ran ahead of the then-dominant Williams-Renault before mechanical issues forced him out. Only his compatriot, Senna was more effective in the tricky conditions. Rubinho would eventually earn his first points of the year, finishing 5th in the Japanese Grand Prix.

1994 started well for Rubinho with 4th place in the Brazilian Grand Prix, and then his first podium - 3rd place - at the next race at Aida.

But then came Imola. Rubinho suffered a massive crash in practice which he was lucky to survive from. Unfortunately, his idol and compatriot would not be so lucky two days later.

The death of Senna had a profound effect on 22-year-old Rubinho. Some say he might never have recovered from the sudden pressure placed on this very young and talented Brazilian.

To be fair to Rubinho, he didn't quite have the deity-like talents of Senna but he was still one of the top drivers in the field and could be absolutely brilliant on his day. His maiden grand prix win at the old Hockenheim circuit in 2000 was one example.

That win was the first of 9 he would win in his career and for Ferrari. With the best car at the time, Rubinho had his best stint in his career, at least statistically. However, after 5 frustrating seasons as Michael Schumacher's backup, he signed for the Honda team alongside Jenson Button.

Barrichello was hoping for a return to the days when he was the no. 1 driver in the team just as he was at Jordan and Stewart. But again, Button would have the reins in the outfit that would eventually become Brawn in 2009.

Brawn was surprisingly competitive and had the best car in 2009 but just as he was at Ferrari, Barrichello was second-fiddle to an in-form Button who won the first six races of the season. But because Barrichello would often finish on the podium behind the Englishman, he was in the title race right to the penultimate race in Brazil.

Alas, his bad luck at Interlagos again struck and Button got the result he needed to clinch the title.

Rubinho left Brawn for Williams the following season as the team was taken over by Mercedes. Ironically, his former Ferrari teammate, Michael Schumacher would take one of vacant spots at Mercedes alongside Nico Rosberg.

Rubinho's last two seasons with Williams have been disappointing to say the least and a pale shadow of his past achievements.

Rubinho may not be racing in F1 next year. He, his frankness (he jokingly asked the stewards to punish him anyway at the end of an uncompetitive 2007 season for Honda where Rubinho scored zero points) and humour will certainly be missed by his peers and fans.

Anyway, undoubtedly, the moment of his 18-year career: