Barrichello - It was magic

Brazilian veteran rolls back the years

Last updated: 6th July 2008

rubens barrichello honda 6/7/2008

Barrichello: perfect race

Rubens Barrichello says he's still in love with F1 after scoring a third-place finish in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The 36-year-old gave Honda a much-needed result on Sunday by returning to the podium for the first time in three years.

Despite starting 16th on the grid, the Brazilian demonstrated his skill in the wet to tip toe through the field and finish behind Lewis Hamilton and Nick Heidfeld.

The result also vindicated the team's decision to put their driver on extreme wet tyres as the rain worsened midway through the race - Barrichello at one point easily the quickest driver on track.

Indeed, Barrcihello could have produced an even stronger finish had a faulty fuel rig not necessitated an extra pit stop.

"I never lost the belief I have in me with the speed and everything," said Barrichello, winner of the race in 2003. "It was obviously a lucky day and it seemed to happen to me.

"I love the wet weather conditions but it was a perfect race.

"We had a minor problem on the pitstop. I thought I had the fuel already but they didn't let me go.

"But that was a minor problem because it was the right decision for us to take extreme wet tyres.

"I was passing people from inside to outside, it was just magic. So I thought that was a good decision because I went off at Club and nearly hit the wall.

"It was Club and Abbey that were the most difficult ones. I said I am coming in and coming in for the extremes.

"I have this great feeling, it is like I am young," he said. "I am smiling to the problems and I am working more.

"I love the sport, I love the speed and I cannot live without it.