Rubens Barrichello returns to the start in Monza

Rubens Barrichello once achieved eleven victories in Formula 1, including twice the Italian Grand Prix. In 2002 he reached the top step of the podium for the first time in Monza – to the general cheers of the tifosi, because the Brazilian was then driving for Ferrari, and this was already his third victory that season.

Rubens then repeated his feat seven years later, when he was already driving for the Brawn GP team – that victory was his last major success of his career. But now the Formula 1 veteran, who was twice vice world champion, returns to Monza.

The 52-year-old Barrichello will compete in the final of the International GT Open series, which will be held at the legendary circuit from October 19 to 20. He will drive the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo of the Italian team Il Barone Rampante in the same squad with Giuseppe Cipriani, a racer and businessman with whom he has worked for more than 30 years.

And not just any sign: he founded this team in Cipriani in 1990; She made her debut in international Formula 3000 and Rubens spent the 1992 season with her, taking third place in the individual competition.

And now they will work together again on the track and battle for victory in the Am Cup class. Cipriani and his team have already won the title in this category of the GT Open touring car series, but now they are joined by such an eminent driver. Barrichello has already worked with Il Barone Rampante during tests in Barcelona and feels quite comfortable behind the wheel of the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 sports car.

“I am very happy to be at the start of the race in Monza with the Il Barone Rampante team,” said Rubens. “I was already a driver for this team when I competed in Formula 3000, and although it has changed categories since then and has different people working in it, it still remains a great team having already won the Am class title.

Racing in Monza always brings back special memories for me, as I have won Formula 1 twice at this track, in Ferrari and Brawn GP cars. When I was a Ferrari driver I had many wonderful moments and I will never forget the great support of the tifosi, who always cheered passionately for me even when I was in the lead.

This will be my debut in the GT Open series, so it will be a new experience for me, although I have already driven this car a few laps around the Barcelona circuit and I must say that the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 left a good impression on me has made. I want to start training as soon as possible!

My son Fernando, who participates in the Euroformula Open series and is currently third in the individual rankings, will also race at Monza. We have a busy weekend ahead of us and I hope our whole family will enjoy it!”