Motorsport: Barrichello leaves Ferrari for BAR

Rubens Barrichello

LONDON - Brazilian driver Rubens Barrichello will join BAR from Ferrari next season on a multi-year deal, the Honda-powered Formula One team said yesterday.

Champions Ferrari have already signed Barrichello's compatriot Felipe Massa from Sauber as his replacement alongside seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher.

"Signing Rubens represents another exciting milestone in BAR Honda's development and in Rubens' own career," said BAR boss Nick Fry in a statement.

"This is a strong and succesful team that is determined to achieve its world championship ambitions and we are confident that these will be realised soon.

"Rubens is not only an excellent driver but he has the experience of building a race and championship winning team and these skills are very important as we work to take BAR Honda to the next level," added Fry.

Barrichello has been at Ferrari since 2000 and, with Schumacher, has helped that team win the constructors' championship every year since his arrival.

BAR will be the 33-year-old's fourth team after making his debut with Jordan in 1993 and driving for now-defunct Stewart from 1997 to the end of 1999.

The Brazilian, seen as a loyal number two at Ferrari where Schumacher was very much the favoured son, thanked everyone at Ferrari for "six fantastic years" but said he was ready for a new challenge.

"My target remains winning the drivers' title and to achieve that I felt that I needed a renewed motivation," he said in a statement.

"I have been watching BAR Honda's progress for some time and have been struck by the spirit and determination of a team that has all the right ingredients to win races and go on to win world championships," he added.

BAR were runners-up to Ferrari last season but have struggled in 2005 after being disqualified from one race and suspended for two more for breaking the weight and fuel regulations.

BAR's current line-up is Briton Jenson Button and Japan's Takuma Sato. Button has signed a contract with Williams but now wants to stay where he is.

- REUTERS