Rubens Barrichello took an emotional victory on the streets of Valencia, prompting mechanics from every team to pour into the pitlane and applaud him. It was the 37 year-old's first victory in five years, proving that despite this being his 17th season, he's lost none of his speed.
"This win is dedicated
to Felipe," said Rubens, whose friend Massa was injured at the previous grand
prix after hitting debris that had fallen off Barrichello's car. "He drove brilliantly
here last year, and he has a good memory. When I saw him he gave me tips for
faster racing lines". Rubens wore a get well soon message on his helmet.
To win he had to beat
Lewis Hamilton, who started on pole. Rubens held third position for the first
stint but, with extra fuel on board, he was able to pass Hamilton thanks to a
later pitstop. The world champion suffered at the hands of his team, who
cancelled a second pitstop order when Hamilton was already committed to the
pitlane, and found there were no tyres ready for his car.
"We win and we lose
together," said Lewis, defending McLaren, who have developed a weak car into a
race winner this season. "We can't take second place for granted or be
disappointed we didn't get the win."
An exhausted but elated
Barrichello kissed the podium step as he received his trophy. It's his first
victory in a car that isn't a Ferrari, and he said it felt "fantastic, just
like the old days."
Ferrari's Kimi
Raikkonen was third while new team mate Luca Badoer struggled all weekend. He
qualified last, spun twice in the race, was penalized for crossing the white
line of the pit exit and finished a distant last.
Meanwhile, championship
contenders Red Bull had a day to forget. Mark Webber could only manage ninth in
a car that simply wasn't fast enough, while Sebastian Vettel suffered a fuel
rig problem, forcing him to re-pit, before his engine blew for the second time
this weekend. "I will fight for the championship 'til the last breath but days
like this... not finishing the race is not a good thing". To make matters worse,
he has just two engines left to last him the remaining six races.
RACE RESULTS
1.
Barrichello
Brawn-Mercedes
2.
Hamilton
McLaren-Mercedes
3.
Raikkonen
Ferrari
4.
Kovalainen
McLaren-Mercedes
5.
Rosberg Williams-Toyota
6.
Alonso Renault
7. Button
Brawn-Mercedes
8. Kubica BMW
Sauber
9. Webber Red
Bull-Renault
10.
Sutil Force
India-Mercedes
11.
Heidfeld
BMW Sauber
12.
Fisichella
Force India-Mercedes
13.
Trulli Toyota
14.
Glock Toyota
15.
Grosjean
Renault
16.
Alguersuari Toro
Rosso-Ferrari
17.
Badoer Ferrari
DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Button 72
2. Barrichello 54
3. Webber 51.5
4. Vettel 47
CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Brawn GP 126
2. Red Bull Racing 98.5
3. Ferrari 46
4. McLaren 41
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