Driver of the Month

Written by Sage Callahan and Chubbennaitor

Driver of the Month

Rubens Barrichello

Rubens Barrichello is the only current driver in F1 to have race against (or with) Ayrton Senna. Barrichello began his career with Jordan in 1993, and has raced for Stewart Grand Prix, Ferrari, and (currently) Honda. As of Michael Schumacher's retirement in 2006, he is currently the most experienced driver on the grid today. Barichello was close friends with Aryton Senna, and he was his teammate during the time of his death in 1994. He left Jordan after the end of the 1996 season. He joined Stewart Grand Prix in 1997, but only finished three races, including a second place finish at Monaco Grand Prix. Ferrari signed Barrichello in 2000, but he had to play in the #2 status role behind Michael Schumacher, which was most obvious at the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix, where he moved over at the finish line to let Schumacher win, after being told to do so. In 2004, he did exceptionally well, finishing second in the standings, behind only his teammate, Michael Schumacher. He joined Honda F1 in 2006, becoming agitated with playing second fiddle to Schumacher. No points were won by him in the 2007 season, mainly due to the Honda RA107 engine; the engine was the problem for Honda in both 2006 and 2007 seasons after it being unreliable. In the season opener he was running and finished 6th but was disqualified after ignoring a red light when exiting the pit lane due to the safety car arriving. In the 2008 Turkish Grand Prix, he had his 257th race, making him the most experienced driver in F1 history. His first points finish since the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix came at the Monaco Grand Prix with a sixth place after the incident involving Adrian Sutil, in 4th, and Kimi Räikkönen, in 5th, at the Nouveille Chicane giving him a two place boost from 8th. Another boost came at Canada after a very eventful race. Sadly he moved from 4th to 7th and almost to 9th in the last 20 laps in a race that looked good for Honda and him with Button running one place behind him until Button pitted and Barrichello lost places.

Written by Sage Callahan and Chubbennaitor

Driver of the Month

Ayrton Senna

Ayrton Senna (da Silva) is most known for his push to win, much the same as Gilles Villeneuve. Senna is a three time Formula One Champion, winning in 1988, 1990, and 1991. Many people have compared Senna to Juan Manuel Fangio, who is known as "The Master" of Formula One. Senna is a Brazilian, and raced for Toleman, Lotus, McLaren, and Williams. Statistically, he is among the greatest ever, with 41 wins and 65 pole positions. His then-record of 65 pole positions was broken by Michael Schumacher in the 2006 San Marino Grand Prix. His rivalry with Alain Prost is among the most legendary in Formula One, going as far as Senna colliding with Prost in the first turn of Suzuka in 1990, giving Senna the title. Tragically, Senna died during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix when his Williams left the track at high speed, hitting the concrete retaining wall at around 135 mph. No driver since has been killed while driving a Formula One car. His skill in wet weather and bad conditions has made him stand out among other drivers. Where most people would choose to drive conservatively, to avoid causing a crash, Senna would still push his hardest. Following the death of Senna (and Roland Ratzenberger), many safety improvements have been made. What could possibly be better than his on-the-track skills was what he did off the track. His character and attitude has made him a legend among F1 fans. Nominated by Sage Callahan