Rubens Barrichello: My dream is to race at Le Mans with my sons
Former Formula 1 World Championship runner-up Rubens Barrichello was both a proud father and an interested observer during February’s Qatar 1812km, as the Brazilian admitted his ‘dream is to race with my two kids in the 24 Hours of Le Mans’.
Eleven times a grand prix-winner and a driver with no fewer than 68 F1 podium finishes to his name – ninth on the all-time list – since retiring from the pinnacle of the sport in 2011, Barrichello has plied his trade predominantly on home soil in Brazil’s Stock Car Pro Series, clinching the crown in both 2014 and 2022.
The Paulista travelled to Qatar in support of his son, Eduardo Barrichello, who was making his FIA World Endurance Championship bow in the series’ 2025 curtain-raiser with Racing Spirit of Léman. In an interview with local broadcaster beIN Sports, Barrichello Snr said he harboured hopes of one day returning to Le Mans for a family assault on the legendary round-the-clock contest, having previously competed at La Sarthe back in 2017.
“My dream is to race with my two kids in the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” the 52-year-old revealed. “I don’t know if it’s a dream for them, but it definitely is for me!
“I had Eduardo as my team-mate for a couple of years in Brazil, and when he got the call [to join Racing Spirit of Léman in FIA WEC], it was just an unbelievable feeling. It happened to me and it’s happening to him. It’s a very proud moment.
“My own dad didn’t know much about racing. Eduardo has the advantage that I do know motorsport and he can ask me if he likes. I walk five metres behind and I don’t get involved, because it’s his life, but if he wants anything from me, I’m always available.”
Barrichello Jnr proved in Qatar that he is certainly a chip off the old block. Of the six Aston Martin Vantage AMR LMGT3 drivers in the field, he set the third-fastest lap, a scant 68 thousandths-of-a-second adrift of more experienced stablemate Valentin Hasse Clot. The #10 crew – completed by Derek Deboer – ultimately took the chequered flag ninth in-class at Lusail International Circuit to seal a points-scoring finish.
“It’s such a pleasure to be here – I’ve been preparing for this for the past 20 years!” enthused the 23-year-old, affectionately known as ‘Dudu’. “It was a great learning weekend for us. We were fast during practice and also in the race, which makes me very happy.
“The result of a weekend in FIA WEC depends on a lot of factors, many of which are new to me, like Balance of Performance, driving among the Hypercars, the different engine modes and energy-saving, so it was amazing to score points right on our debut.
“I drove for a little over four of the ten hours of racing, which is much more than I’m used to but I felt really good physically, and honestly, I was ready to drive more! I had a smile underneath my helmet throughout. I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun in a race car...
“A special thank you to my father for coming to Qatar to see me make my dream come true. He’s been learning also, because there’s a lot of tech and things we’re not used to in stock cars. He’s been with me throughout the journey and has given me a lot of tips, particularly in terms of my mindset. It’s great to have him around.”
