Rubens Barrichello was quick to offer his congratulations to new world champion Jenson Button despite his own disappointment.
Vanquished title challenger says he has answered his critics
Rubens Barrichello was quick to overcome his own title disappointment and offer congratulations to new world champion Jenson Button in Brazil.
The Brawn GP driver had appeared favourite to take the world championship to the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi having qualified on pole position at Interlagos.
However, Barrichello went backwards during the race, finishing eighth following a late puncture whilst team-mate Button came through from 14th on the grid to finish fifth and take the title.
The 37-year-old hailed Button as a worthy champion and also said his own performance this season showed that his career was far from over.
Barrichello, who became used to finishing as a runner-up during his six seasons as Michael Schumacher's team-mate at Ferrari, had been written off by some at the end of last season.
However, wins in both the European and Italian Grands Prix helped him take the fight to Button and also answer his critics.
He said: "I've said before that people put flowers on my coffin at the beginning of the year, and I was back, driving a fantastic car and I was so, so up for it.
"I've got to really thank God for the situation I've had for the year. It was a great car to drive all year.
"I'm pleased for Jenson as a friend and as a great champion, and if I didn't win, he should have won it, so well done to him.
"Jenson won it, and he deserved to do it, but he won it on the first six races, and I think the second half of the championship was mine.
"It was a true fight and I fought really hard, but in a time of the championship when we didn't have the performance of that grade anymore. So it was a big fight and I kept going, kept myself alive, and I'm really pleased."
Superb
He praised also the efforts of his team - who secured the constructors' championship in Brazil - under the direction of former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn.
He said: "They've been superb, and I think Ross was able to get everyone together, to give speeches to prepare them, and they were really well prepared.
"It's a hell of a team and it deserves to win. We will have a good night together because I feel the constructors' title is part of me as well and I'm happy for that."
After four seasons at the team - formerly Honda - Barrichello is expected to join Williams next season.
Nico Rosberg is expected to go the other way as Brawn's technical partners Mercedes-Benz are said to want a German driver partnering Button.
